The year was 1856, and Chicago was a city of raw ambition, its streets still muddy from the recent fire that had leveled much of the downtown. Marshall Field, a young man with a sharp mind for commerce, walked into a partnership with Levi Z. Leiter and William Henry Dryer, two fellow merchants who shared his vision. The trio pooled their resources—Field contributed $30,000, a fortune in those days—and opened a store at the corner of State and Washington. It would become the cornerstone of what would later be known as Marshall Field & Co., a name synonymous with luxury retail and the golden age of American department stores. What set Field apart wasn’t just his business acumen but his relentless focus on customer experience. He introduced innovations that seemed radical at the time: a money-back guarantee, a catalog for rural shoppers, and even a rooftop garden where employees could escape the chaos of the city. His slogan, "Give the lady what she wants," wasn’t just marketing—it was a philosophy. Field understood that retail wasn’t just about selling goods; it was about creating an atmosphere where people felt valued. By the 1880s, his store had become a destination, a place where Chicago’s elite and working-class families alike could find everything from silk stockings to the latest Parisian fashions. The Field family’s legacy, however, wasn’t built solely on Marshall’s genius. His son, Richard Teller Field, inherited not just the business but the obsession with excellence. Under his leadership, the company expanded into real estate, opening the iconic Marshall Field’s State Street store in 1902—a 12-story behemoth that dazzled with its grand atrium, marble floors, and a Christmas display so elaborate it became a holiday tradition. The Marshall Field family had transformed a modest dry goods shop into an institution, one that would define Chicago’s identity for over a century.

Where It All Began

Marshall Field’s story begins in the backrooms of a small store in St. Louis, where he started as a clerk at the age of 16. His father, a farmer, had little use for city life, but young Marshall thrived in the hustle of commerce. By 21, he was managing a store in Springfield, Illinois, and by 25, he’d saved enough to strike out on his own. His first Chicago venture, a dry goods store with a partner, failed spectacularly—leaving him nearly bankrupt. But failure only sharpened his instincts. He returned to the city in 1856 with a new partner, and this time, success followed. The early years of Marshall Field & Co. were defined by grit. Field refused to cut corners, even when competitors did. While other stores sold goods at a profit, he invested in quality, training, and customer service. His store became a hub for Chicago’s social life, hosting events like the famous "Marshall Field’s Thanksgiving Day Parade" (which later inspired the Macy’s parade). By the 1890s, the company had expanded into mail-order catalogs, allowing rural Americans to order goods they couldn’t find locally. The Marshall Field family had turned retail into an art form—one that prioritized trust over transaction.

The Early Signs

The signs of greatness were there from the start, but they weren’t always obvious. Field’s refusal to participate in the Black Friday sales of 1873—when stores slashed prices to clear inventory—earned him scorn from competitors but loyalty from customers. His decision to pay employees well (including women, at a time when most stores didn’t) set a precedent. By the 1880s, the store’s profits were soaring, and Field was one of the wealthiest men in Chicago. Yet he remained hands-on, personally overseeing the hiring of sales staff and even designing the store’s layout. What truly distinguished the Marshall Field family was their ability to adapt. When the Great Fire of 1871 destroyed much of downtown Chicago, Field didn’t panic. Instead, he saw opportunity. He bought up burned-out properties cheaply and began constructing a new, fireproof store. The result? A fortress of retail that could withstand anything. By the time his son, Richard Teller Field, took over in 1881, the company was already a titan—but the real transformation was yet to come.

The Turning Point

The turning point arrived in 1902 with the opening of the Marshall Field’s State Street store, a monument to early 20th-century ambition. Designed by architect Holabird & Roche, the building was a marvel of steel and glass, with a central atrium that allowed natural light to flood the sales floors. The store wasn’t just a place to shop; it was a cultural landmark. The Marshall Field family had redefined retail as an experience, complete with a tea room, a library, and even a post office. Customers didn’t just buy goods—they lived in the moment. The decision to expand into real estate was equally pivotal. The Fields purchased land across Chicago, turning the company into a development powerhouse. They built office towers, apartment buildings, and even the iconic Marshall Field’s Merchandise Mart, which remains one of the largest commercial buildings in the world. This diversification ensured the family’s wealth would endure long after the retail business itself faded.

"A store is not just a place to sell goods. It’s a place to create memories." — Richard Teller Field, reflecting on the State Street store’s legacy.

The Build-Up, Year by Year

Period	Key Developments
1856–1873	Marshall Field partners with Levi Z. Leiter and William H. Dryer to open a dry goods store. Survives the Great Fire of 1871 by buying burned properties and rebuilding. Introduces the "money-back guarantee," a radical concept at the time.
1881–1902	Richard Teller Field takes over, expanding into mail-order catalogs. The company becomes a major employer, hiring women at fair wages. Acquires rival stores, consolidating dominance in the Midwest.
1902–1930	Opens the Marshall Field’s State Street store, a retail landmark. Expands into real estate, building the Merchandise Mart and other properties. Introduces the "Give the lady what she wants" philosophy as company doctrine.

Lessons From the Journey

The Marshall Field family’s success offers timeless lessons: - Customer obsession over profit margins. Field prioritized service so thoroughly that competitors struggled to replicate it. - Adaptability in crises. The Great Fire could have destroyed them, but they turned it into an opportunity. - Long-term vision. The move into real estate ensured the family’s wealth outlasted the retail business. - Legacy over short-term gains. The Fields didn’t just build a company—they built a cultural institution.

Where Things Stand Today

The Marshall Field family’s direct influence on retail has waned, but their legacy persists. The State Street store, now owned by Macy’s, remains a Chicago icon, its atrium still hosting holiday displays that draw millions. The Merchandise Mart, once the nerve center of the company’s real estate empire, is now a hub for architecture and design firms. Meanwhile, the Field family’s wealth has been dispersed through trusts and philanthropy, with descendants still active in Chicago’s business and cultural scenes. What’s striking is how the Marshall Field family’s principles endure in modern retail. Concepts like "customer-first" service, once revolutionary, are now table stakes. Yet few companies today match the Fields’ commitment to creating an experience rather than just a transaction. The story of their rise—and eventual shift into real estate—serves as a case study in how to pivot when the market changes.

Conclusion

The Marshall Field family didn’t just sell goods; they sold a way of life. Their stores were more than retail spaces—they were social hubs, cultural touchstones, and symbols of Chicago’s ambition. Marshall Field’s refusal to compromise on quality, his son’s expansion into real estate, and the family’s ability to reinvent themselves at every turn set a standard that few have matched. Today, as department stores struggle to adapt to e-commerce, the Fields’ story is a reminder that greatness isn’t about clinging to the past but about evolving with the times. Their legacy lives on in the buildings they left behind, the traditions they started, and the values they championed. For anyone interested in the intersection of business, culture, and legacy, the Marshall Field family remains a masterclass in how to build something that outlasts its founders.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Who was Marshall Field, and how did he start his business?

Marshall Field began as a clerk in St. Louis before moving to Chicago in 1856. After a failed partnership, he co-founded Marshall Field & Co. with Levi Z. Leiter and William H. Dryer, using $30,000 of his own savings. His focus on customer service and innovation set the company apart from the start.

Q: What made Marshall Field’s store different from other department stores?

Field introduced the "money-back guarantee," hired women at fair wages, and created a shopping experience that blended luxury with accessibility. His slogan, "Give the lady what she wants," reflected his belief that retail should prioritize customer satisfaction over profit.

Q: How did the Field family expand beyond retail?

Under Richard Teller Field’s leadership, the company diversified into real estate, acquiring land and developing properties like the Marshall Field’s Merchandise Mart. This move ensured the family’s wealth would endure even as retail trends shifted.

Q: Is the original Marshall Field’s store still open?

Yes, the Marshall Field’s State Street store remains open as part of Macy’s. Its iconic atrium and holiday displays continue to attract visitors, preserving the legacy of the Marshall Field family.

Q: What happened to the Field family’s wealth after the company’s decline?

The family’s wealth was dispersed through trusts and philanthropy. Descendants remain active in Chicago’s business and cultural scenes, though the direct retail empire no longer exists.

Q: Did the Fields influence other department stores?

Absolutely. Their innovations, like the money-back guarantee and customer-focused service, became industry standards. Stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom cite the Fields as inspiration for their own philosophies.

Q: Are there any remaining buildings owned by the Field family?

While the family no longer owns retail properties, the Marshall Field’s Merchandise Mart remains a significant asset in Chicago’s real estate portfolio. Other buildings developed by the company are still in use today.