C.D. Peacock, originally established as The House of Peacock, is a Chicago-based retail jewelry store founded in 1837 by Elijah Peacock.[1] The company is Chicago's oldest existing retailer.[2]
History
The company survived the Great Chicago Fire, despite its location in the middle of the city, as all of its merchandise was kept in a fireproof safe.[3] In 1889, Charles Daniel Peacock assumed control of the business and changed the name to the current C.D. Peacock.[3] They issued their first retail catalog in 1893, which coincided with the World's Columbian Exposition.[1] Later, company president Walter C. Peacock became an important figure in Chicago and Illinois sporting circles.
The Peacock family sold the company to Dayton-Hudson in 1969.[2] During the 1992 American recession, the company encountered financial difficulty, entered bankruptcy and was sold to Gordon Brothers, but ultimately survived in a greatly reduced form. As of 1993, C.D. Peacock is owned by Seymour Holtzman, Chairman of Destination XL Group, with three Metro-Chicago locations.[3][4] As of 2023 C. D. Peacock still belongs to a corporation controlled by the Holtzman family.
