The May Department Stores Company was a department store chain founded in 1877 by David May in Leadville, Colorado. Its headquarters moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1905, and the company went public in 1911. David's grandson Morton May became the chairman in 1951 and headed the company for 16 years. Morton May was active in St. Louis civic affairs and was a patron of the St. Louis Art Museum.
In 2005 May Department Stores was acquired by Federated Department Stores for $11 billion in stock. They now operate under the brand name Macy's.
Prior to its acquisition by Federated, May operated department stores nationwide, under the following brand names: May D & F, Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field's, Filene's, Kaufmann's, Hecht's, Strawbridge's, Foley's, Robinsons-May, Meier & Frank, L. S. Ayres, Famous-Barr, and The Jones Store. In addition to its department stores, May operated a unit of bridal and formal apparel stores including After Hours Formalwear, David's Bridal and Priscilla of Boston.
