About The Oldest Retailer In America
The Moravian Book Shop is also the oldest bookstore in America
A retailer is a business or entity that owns or operates a store, purchasing products from manufacturers or wholesalers and selling them directly to consumers. Retail itself encompasses the sale of goods — books, clothing, cosmetics, electronics, toys, and more — as well as services. A bookstore is one example of a retail operation, specializing in the sale of books.
So which business holds the title of oldest retailer in America? The answer becomes clear when you apply the legal definition. The US Census Bureau and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) classify bookstores under the Retail Trade sector (Sector 44-45), firmly placing them within the retail category.
By that measure, the Moravian Book Shop, founded in the year 1745, stands as the oldest retailer of any kind in the United States. It also holds the title of the oldest bookstore in America, potentially the oldest in the world.
The Moravian Book Shop is described as the oldest continuously operating bookseller in America by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. It is recognized as the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world by Moravian University.
The Moravian Book Shop is located in the historic town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1745 when the Moravian Church appointed Samuel Powell of the Church’s Crown Inn on the south side of the Lehigh River to operate a book store.
After operating at several locations, the Moravian Book Shop was moved to the church’s publications building near the Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem in 1871.
Today, Moravian Book Shop operates in the same site on historic Main Street. For nearly three centuries, book lovers have looked to the bookstore for its selection of books and iconic Moravian- and Bethlehem-themed gifts.
The shop continues to offer its iconic book section that features indie best sellers, trade books, and select books highlighting the history of Moravians, Bethlehem, Bethlehem Steel, the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania. The shop sells and buys back student textbooks.
The bookshop stocks Moravian College apparel and gift items, reference books, stationery and art supplies, greeting cards, candy, and health and beauty aids. The inventory also includes traditional Moravian- and Bethlehem-themed gifts and College faculty- and alumni-authored books.
In 2015, the store opened its first satellite location in Center City Allentown as part of the Two City Center complex. However, that satellite location closed in May 2017 to refocus on the Bethlehem location, and remaining stock was moved there. In April 2018, nearby Moravian College announced the acquisition of Moravian Book Shop and it became the central student bookstore for the college.
*Note: Some sources claim Brooks Brothers is the oldest retailer in America, but that is not entirely accurate. Brooks Brothers, founded in 1818, holds the title of oldest retail chain and oldest retail clothing company in America.
However, the Moravian Book Shop, opened in 1745, is the oldest retailer of any kind. It's also worth noting that some people confuse "oldest business" with "oldest retailer" — general stores, taverns, and inns existed earlier but served different primary functions. For example, Seaside Inn, est. 1660 in Kennebunk, ME, is the oldest lodging in America, but lodging is hospitality, not retail.