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The Vance Winans Co.

Vance Winas Co label.jpg

Although a dry goods business, Vance's Cloak House was listed under the “cloaks & suits” heading in the 1905 city directory to let its clientele know that this type of merchandise was a specialty. Later known as E.W. Vance & Bros Exclusive Cloak and Fur House. Edwin W. Vance moved to Columbus from Cincinnati where he had been working as a dry goods clerk. His store first appears in the city directory in 1894 at 75 N. High Street, next door to Burns Tailors at number 73. His brother Herman joined him in business for a few years before Edwin partnered with Carey C. Winans in 1908 to form The Vance-Winans Co. Winans had started as a buyer for the Vance Cloak House in 1903. The American Cloak and Suit Review announced in 1914 that Winans had taken over the business of the company and that, “The Vance-Winans Co. is the largest store in Central Ohio dealing in women’s ready-towear garments exclusively, and has progressed to this point under the management of Mr. Winans…and in future will be known as The C.C. Winans Co.” 

Specialty Boutiques
The Vance Winans Co.