bags featured a "modern" script-like trademark with their famous "seal of confidence". Strawbridge's was also known for its friendly employees. In the center of the flagship store was a large bronze statue of a wild boar, a replica of Pietro Tacca's Il Porcellino. Local legend had it that good luck would follow those who rubbed the boar's nose. The boar consequently had a very shiny nose from all the rubbing. Repurposing of flagship store In July 2006, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), owners of The Gallery at Market East, agreed to purchase the lower floors of the flagship Strawbridge's store. PREIT sought retail tenants for the areas of the building closest to street level and converted some higher floors to office space. The uppermost floors had previously been sold and converted to offices; they are currently owned by American Financial Realty Trust of Jenkintown. On February 26, 2009, it was announced that the developers of Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia were looking into locating their new casino on three floors of the former Strawbridge's flagship store currently owned by PREIT. In April 2012, it was reported by one of the sub-contractors that the building was undergoing additional renovation for both office and residential use. In July 2012, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News relocated to the third floor of the building from their former headquarters at 400 North Broad Street. On October 23, 2014, the Century 21 Department Stores company of New York City opened its first location outside of the greater New York City area on a portion of the street level, and the entire second level of the Strawbridge's building. Century 21 closed in 2020 as a result of the chain filing for bankruptcy and closing all stores. On December 16, 2021, a Giant Heirloom Market grocery store opened in the ground level of the former Strawbridge's department store at 8th Street. See also Strawbridge and Clothier Store, Jenkintown List of defunct department stores of the United States References External links (Archive) The Tale of Two Family Businesses Strawbridge & Clothier company records at Hagley Museum and Library Strawbridge & Clothier Annual Reports: 1934–1941, 1944–1945, 1947–1965, 1967–1975, Internet Archives 1996 NY Times article on the acquisition by May's Macy's Companies based in Philadelphia Defunct department stores based in Philadelphia Economy of the Northeastern United States Clothing retailers of the United States Retail companies established in 1868 Retail companies