London - Harrods
Much of London, for the tourist anyway, is historical. Ancient buildings and centuries old monuments. Palaces and works of art from the ages. But not Harrods. Harrods, even while its origins are from over 150 years ago, is as up-to-date as the latest computer.
The world's greatest department store was established on its current site in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, a wholesale grocer. Harrod's son Charles Digby rapidly grew the business and by 1880 employed 100 staff.
Never one to be bowed by setbacks, not even a devastating fire in 1883, Harrods went on to make all its Christmas deliveries in that year and many since. Whether flying fresh fish to Alfred Hitchcock or embalming Sigmund Freud's body, the store that promises 'Everything to Everybody Everywhere' never fails to deliver.
Much of the architectural additions - including terracotta tiles and Art Nouveau windows topped with a baroque dome - can still be seen by a careful observer. What you won't see is the original Winnie-the-Pooh. A.A. Milne took that home for his son, Christopher Robin.
Throughout the decades Harrods has housed a funeral service, a lending library, and even sold airplanes and elephants. Today, the selection is possibly larger. The expansion began when the Fayed family acquired the House of Fraser Group (and thereby Harrods) for £615 million ($1.1 billion) in 1985. Another £300 million investment for refurbishment has brought the department store to its current peak.
For those looking not merely to buy - but to experience - on any given day you may find opera singers performing at the top of the Egyptian Escalators or a future star serving at one of the counters. Pierce Brosnan once worked in the Pharmacy and the original Darth Vader was a fitness consultant in the sports department.
While your 'assistant' is booking theater tickets, have a facial in the salon or relax at the Irish spa. When you're done, visit Donatella Versace discussing a new perfume.
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