Remember G. Fox? Vernon Historical Society Hosting Presentation On The Legendary Department Store

VERNON, CT — The Vernon Historical Society will take a look back at one of Hartford's most legendary department stores next month during a presentation on the history and legacy of G. Fox & Co.

It stood in its glory at 960 Main St. in Hartford.

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Rachel Beauchemin will present "Remembering G. Fox & Co." at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Vernon Historical Society.

Beauchemin is a museum educator at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, where she develops and teaches educational programs for school and adult audiences. She has worked in education and museums in Connecticut and holds a bachelor's degree in political science and women's studies from Gettysburg College.

The presentation will focus, in part, on Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the woman most closely associated with G. Fox's golden age.

Historians tell us that Auerbach, the daughter of Moses Fox, returned to Hartford after the death of her husband in 1927 after having previously worked for the family business. She became president of G. Fox after her father's death in 1938 and led the company until 1965.

Under Auerbach's leadership, G. Fox was modernized, with customer service becoming a central part of the store's identity, historians say. The department store introduced amenities and services including air conditioning, elevators, restaurants, a tea room, beauty services, a post office, personal shoppers and multilingual assistance.

The store also operated what was described as the largest telephone ordering system in New England, allowing it to serve customers outside the Hartford area.

Auerbach became known for progressive employment practices as well, including a five-day work week, employee benefits and opportunities for minority employees.

Her philanthropy and civic involvement further strengthened the Fox family's ties to Hartford and its community.

The presentation offers an opportunity for longtime Hartford-area residents to revisit the era when G. Fox was a major part of the region's retail landscape, while introducing younger generations to the department store's history.