Lazarus Department Store, Columbus, Ohio

Lazarus was a regional department store with its retail chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest, and based in Columbus, Ohio. It had a history of 150 years, which sadly ended in 2005. Their flagship store was in downtown Columbus, Ohio.



In 1909, the company moved to the current Lazarus Building, and moved from being predominantly a men's clothing store to a general department store. It was the first building in the city to feature an escalator, in 1909. The model was soon removed, but modern electric escalators were installed in 1947, another first for the city.


By the 1960's the store was serviced by four parking garages with a total capacity of nearly 3,000 cars, all within a block of the main building.

Every Christmas time from 1963 to 1990, the store's 50,000-gallon water tower on its roof was lit with string lights to resemble a Christmas tree. The tradition was postponed for two years during the 1970s energy crisis, and was discontinued in 1990 due to decreased visibility around modern high-rises. The store was known for its window displays, especially during the holidays. Its highlight was the "big window" at Town and High streets.