The actual beginning of the story starts with Edwin Goodman working as a child in his father’s dry good store. Although he was glad when his father left the dry goods business, it was that business that probably planted the seed in him to be a tailor. Leaving school before graduating, Edwin went to New York in search of a tailor to apprentice under. He had been told that he should concentrate on ladies clothing to make the most money.
In New York, Goodman went to work for Herman Bergdorf in a small shop on Fifth Avenue near Union Station. Bergdorf had gained acclaim in the ladies suit business even though his whole heart wasn’t in it. It wasn’t long before Goodman was doing the work of a partner instead of an employee. Two years after Goodman started working for Bergdorf, he bought into the business. Another two years after that, Goodman bought Bergdorf out, but still kept the Bergdorf Goodman name.
Edwin moved the store to the where Rockefeller Center is now and then to its present address. During that time Edwin was one of the most acclaimed tailors in the fashion business. He introduced ready to wear women’s clothing that was comfortable, but very fashionable. Goodman made sure the store kept its elite yet friendly niche in the Fifth Avenue Ladies Mile, as they then referred to that area.
In 1972, Andrew Goodman, Edwin’s son, sold the store to the Carter Hawley Hale Stores. Later, it was made part of the Neiman Marcus Group. To this day it is the only luxury specialty store known for its elegance and superior service to keep its only location in New York.