H. C. Prange Co., sometimes shortened to Prange's, was an American department store chain begun by H. C. Prange in 1887 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. At its peak, it operated stores in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. It also operated discount stores under the Prange Way name in the former two states, although this division was sold off in the 1990s. Prange's was dissolved and most of the stores converted to the rival Younkers chain after sale in 1992.
H. C. Prange Co.
Image of an Prange's store, taken from a 1991 GMC dealers ad
Site of original flagship store in downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin, photographed in 2006. The store was converted into a Boston Store in 2008, closed in 2014, and was torn down a year later.
Younkers Inc. is an American online retailer and former department store chain founded as a family-run dry goods business in 1856 in Keokuk, Iowa. The retailer had evolved over more than 150 years to include a presence in locations throughout Iowa and bordering states in the Midwest region of the United States. It is pronounced yong-kers. Younkers became influential as it acquired several rivals throughout the 20th century both inside and outside of Iowa. The chain itself was sold by the late 1990s, with ownership transferring out of state, and its Des Moines-based headquarters closed by 2003 as a part of a corporate consolidation. Following its last sale in 2006, Younkers operated as a subsidiary of The Bon-Ton, with locations in seven Midwestern states, primarily in shopping malls. As of 2013 the chain operated more than fifty locations in the region. On August 29, 2018, Younkers closed its doors one last time.
Exterior of Younkers in Traverse City, Michigan, located at the Cherryland Center, in a former H. C. Prange Co. The interior of this store was never remodeled, and retained 1970's style decor until it closed in August 2018.
The original Younkers store in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The building was vacated when the store closed on August 12, 2005. The eastern building was destroyed by fire in the early hours of March 29, 2014.
A Younkers in Marquette, Michigan which was converted from H.C. Prange
Exterior of a Younkers store in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a former H. C. Prange Co., in 2006, which was converted into Boston Store in 2008.