Younkers

Younkers was an American chain of department stores, based for most of its existence in Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in Keokuk, Iowa in 1856, the company acquired independent department stores across the state and grew to become Iowa's largest department store. The chain expanded dramatically with the acquisition of the 11 stores of Nebraska-based Brandeis in 1987, and 25 stores from Prange's in 1992 which allowed the chain to enter Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Acquired by Proffitt's/Saks, Inc. in 1996, Younkers became part of the Saks Northern Department Store Group, which was sold to The Bon-Ton in 2006. As one of The Bon-Ton's seven department store brands, Younkers stores were found throughout Nebraska, Iowa, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan, as well as two locations in Minnesota and another in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Younkers, along with all other The Bon-Ton stores, was shut down in August 2018.