About Shapiro
HOW IT ALL STARTED
In 1897, an 18-year-old in Denver started selling soap, two bars for a nickel, and promptly was arrested for peddling without a license!
Only seven years an immigrant from Lithuania, Simon Shapiro, founder of Shapiro Luggage & Gifts, had learned his first lesson in adaptation: He immediately exchanged his soap for a $6.00 per week steady job. By 1902, he moved to St. Louis, to learn the art of trunk making and, salesmanship.
By 1915, Simon chose Salt Lake City as his home, and in 1917 the first Shapiro Trunk & Bag Company opened on West Temple, where the Salt Palace Convention Center now stands. The Shapiro Trunk & Bag Company had become well known for its custom made “touring-car” trunks, which were made by hand, and strapped to the back of the early model automobiles. That specialty became a victim of technical obsolescence when carmakers put the “trunk” inside the chassis. Quickly adapting, the emphasis was place on retail merchandising, and 90 years later the operation had grown to as many as ten stores. Currently, there are 6 stores: four along the Wasatch Front, one in Boise, Idaho, one in Tucson, Arizona and a the Corporate Office & Warehouse in Midvale, Utah.
Simon’s son, Joel, joined the business after World War II in 1946 and is credited by all as the backbone of this unique Salt Lake specialty store. The 1980’s saw the introduction of the third generation. The three grandsons of Simon – Alex, Eric and Daniel – now own, manage and coordinate all the intricate store operations. All three, with varied backgrounds yet compatible ideals, are quite aware of the need to adapt in today’s competitive retail environment.
Founded in 1917 as a luggage and travel shop for businessmen and the early adventurers of the 20th century, Shapiro Luggage & Gifts has now evolved into one of the premier specialty stores in the intermountain west. Luggage of distinction, leather business cases and elegant writing instruments share shelf space with the latest in hi-tech travel gear for the serious business commuter and the casual adventure traveler. In addition to Utah, Idaho and Arizona’s largest selection of travel accessories, Shapiro is famous for its incredible selection of classic merchandise as well as its outrageous gift assortment – perfect for that “guy who has everything” gift.
The Shapiro family is especially proud of the wonderful people who work so hard to make a visit at Shapiro pleasant and successful. Old-fashioned customer service is not just a cliché at Shapiro’s; it’s what we want and what our customers expect. Extraordinary service and knowledgeable assistance will make a shopping experience at Shapiro what it should be. FUN!
