Baker-Flick Company ~ Camden's Oldest Department Store

Established in 1866 and run for many years as the Christopher C. Chew Company store, the Baker-Flick Company was incorporated in November of 1908 by George C. Baker, John A. Flick, and David T. Pyle. Christopher C. Chew had died of complications from a gunshot wound suffered in Spanish American War on Oct 29, 1899 in Camden, but his business remained open after his passing.

The Baker-Flick store served Camden on Market Street near 3rd Street into the 1930s. Partner John A. Flick, who took an active interest in the promotion of business activity in Camden, died on April 1, 1927 at the age of 47. This may have been a contributing factor to the business' eventual closing as the lack of a succession plan within the family was a factor in the demise of the Hurley department store on Broadway.

The Golden Rule Department Store operated in the location for a few years afterward, but had closed 1947.

Camden Courier-Post * January 18, 1922

4 Big Camden Fires in Six Weeks
Bring Losses of $595,000

Four fires in Camden's business district within the past six weeks have destroyed or damaged a dozen retail stores, entailing losses fixed at $595,000.

They were:

Baker-Flick Department Store	$150,000
Toone & Hollingshed and five nearby retail stores and shops	$225,000
Nell's Haberdashery	$20,000
Economy Store and three other stores	$200,000

Camden Courier-Post - June 9, 1933

STORES WILL JOIN IN BARGAIN PERIOD
Merchants' Association Announces Plans for Three-Day Event

A committee of the Merchants' Cooperative Association, headed by Harry A. Moran, secretary and manager of the the Hurley Store, has announced a three-day co-operative promotion which will be known as Camden's Co-operation Days.

All merchants of this city have been invited to participate in the event which will be outlined in newspaper and radio announcements. City and store decorations and entertainment features which may include the personal appearances of stage, radio, sports and screen stars are being arranged.

The whole event has been arranged because of recent disclosures, resulting from investigation made by the local publishers proving that local industrial employment and business conditions have shown a decided upward trend in the city within the past several months.

The committee includes Charles Gates, Camden manager of Sears, Roebuck & Company; J. B. Van Sciver, Jr. of J. B. Van Sciver; C. A. McGrew, manager of J. C. Penney; Lester Abrahamson of Lester's; S. Savage of Western Auto Supply; William Rothman of Barrett's Tire Shop; Leonard R. Baker of Baker-Flick; Samuel Auerbach of Auerbach's; N. Futernick of Futernick's; Max Peck of the Fashion Shop; Simon Abrahamson of Simon's; Michael LaSala of DiJulio-LaSala; Joseph Murdock, manager of the Stanley Theatre; W. L. Tushingham, business manager, and F. J. Kinsella, advertising director of the Courier-Post newspapers.

Camden Courier-Post - June 16, 1933

Merchant Leaders Promoting Camden's 'Co-operation Days' Sale

The above business leaders welcomed State Senator Emerson L. Richards to Camden yesterday when he sounded the keynote for the opening of the biggest merchandise sale in Camden in 20 years.

Left to right, back row: Cutler A. McGrew, manager of the J. C. Penney Company; Frank J. Kinsella, advertising director,
Courier-Post Newspapers, Edward Callow, district manager Stanley-Warner Theatres; Joseph Murdock, manager Stanley Theatre.

Middle row: W. L. Tushingham, business manager, Courier-Post Newspapers; Samuel Auerbach; Russell Gibbons, Baker-Flick Company; William Rothman, Barrett's Tire Shops; Joseph Kobus

Front row: M. Futernick; Harry A. Moran, chairman Merchants Committee; S. Lester; J. Price Myers, and S. Abrahamson.

At right, Senator Richards is shown addressing merchants at the court house plaza.

Philadelphia Inquirer - November 20, 1909

Alfred K. Bennett - David Jester - Charles S. Ackley - Philip Wilson - Frank Devereaux William E. Anthony - Dallas R. Cann - Wesley W. Hibbs - John Flick - Francis B. Wallen