Founded 1880 | Headquarters Lincoln, Nebraska, US | |
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Industry Retail Department Store Fate Acquired in 1988 by Dillard's Founders J.E. Miller and Dr. Bartlett Paine | ||
Miller & Paine was a department store in Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded in 1880, Miller & Paine was acquired by Dillard's in 1988. Prior to the acquisition by Dillard's, Miller & Paine had three stores: two in Lincoln, the downtown flagship store and Gateway Mall with one in the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island, Nebraska. Miller & Paine was one of the first department stores in Lincoln.
History
J.E. Miller arrived in Lincoln from Pennsylvania in 1879 and in 1880 formed a partnership with Dr. Bartlett Paine to build a department store at 13th and O streets in downtown Lincoln. The building was built in 1898. The store was named Miller & Paine. In 1916, a new building was constructed on the site at 13th and O streets. The new building was designed by Berlinghof & Davis. In 1935, Miller & Paine became the first air-conditioned department store in Nebraska.
Miller & Paine had a lunch counter in the basement and the Tea Room on the fifth floor in the flagship downtown store. Besides having the tearoom and lunch counter, they also had a bakery that was famous for its cinnamon rolls and crumb cookies and made their own candy to sell in their candy department. Miller & Paine imported cinnamon for its trademark cinnamon rolls, and sharp English cheddar cheese for its macaroni & cheese which was served crusted in its own individual serving bowl. The company also owned a farm near Emerald, Nebraska for its own supply of poultry, vegetables and eggs.
In 1960, Miller & Paine opened a store in the newly developed Gateway Mall in Lincoln as an anchor store and in 1974, Miller & Paine opened a store in the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island.
Miller & Paine sold their department stores in 1988 to Dillard's. The department stores ceased to use the name Miller & Paine re-branding the stores Dillard's. Shortly after the purchase, Dillard's closed the downtown store.
The company Miller & Paine continues to operate today as Miller & Paine LLC which operates properties in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Berlinghof & Davis designed 13th and O street building is still extant and in use as offices. The trademarked Miller & Paine's cinnamon rolls which were once served in the department store's tearooms continue to be produced and sold by the Lincoln, Nebraska-based fast food restaurant Runza.