Last Updated : 31 Aug 2009

David Lewis changed his name from David Levy because he thought it was more British. He opened his first store in 1856 at just 16 years old. Initially he sold only mens and boys clothing but later expanded the range. In 1859, he opened a store in Bold Street.

In May 1941, the large store on the present site was totally destroyed by the Luftwaffe and the remains were left until 1948 before final demolision was started. In February 1950, the first phase of the rebuilt store was opened. This, the present store was completed in 1956. The famous "Liverpool Resurgent...." statue above the main entrance (otherwise known locally as "Dickie Lewis") by Jacob Epstein was started in 1954 and unveiled in 1956.

In the 1980's, the store fell on hard times which resulted in four of it's seven floors being closed before going in to receivership in 1991. The store managed to struggle on with several setbacks along the way and at the last update of this page was still trading.