Hey Kiehl’s, for 160 years old, you’re looking pretty good! That’s right, this year the venerable New York apothecary is celebrating 160 years in the biz! Up here in Toronto, we decided to celebrate by throwing a little fête at the Kiehl’s Yonge and Eglington store.
Members of the media and street passersby were able to test out the heritage collection, have a hand at old-school manufacturing techniques and get their photos taken in a Kiehl’s photobooth!
If you missed it, the iconic Heritage Collection is available this September. We’ve also taken it upon ourselves to give a little history lesson on the prolific 160 years of Kiehl’s. Read closely, there will be a mandatory quiz* at the end!
1851: Kiehl Pharmacy is opened on the corner of Thirteenth Street at Third Avenue in New York City. The company flagship is still in the same location.
1921: In 1921 Irving Morse, John Kiehl’s apprentice, takes over the company. He kept the name, but expanded the business from pharmaceutical tonics and medicinal salves to a full-service pharmacy stocking teas, herbs, tinctures, honeys and the first ever Kiehl brand products.
1963: Kiehl’s Original Musk Oil is created
1975: Kiehl’s opens its first counter outside of New York in the Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. The company is still among one of the most exclusive brands.
1978: Mr. Aaron Morse noticed that in the early years, when couples would come into Kiehl’s, the gentlemen didn’t have an interest in cosmetic products. Mr. Morse decided to turn a corner of the store into a museum with vintage Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles from his collection. These were great conversation pieces and were talked about all over town. People would come into the store just to see the antiques. At one point there was an actual airplane in the NY store!
1988: Jami Morse, daughter of Aaron Morse takes over the company.
1991: Jami Morse has a daughter and with the assistance of famed Dr. Peter Waldstein, decides to launch a product line for babies that were pediatrician tested. Products include Baby Body Wash, Shampoo, Diaper-rash treatment cream, body lotion and the unique baby lip balm.
1997: Kiehl’s launches Kiehl’s Hand Care for a Cure to benefit AmFAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research). 100 % of the profits are donated to AmFAR.
May 18, 2006: Kiehl’s opens first Travel Retail store in Hong Kong International Airport welcoming patrons on the go.
January, 2011: Celebrating 160 years of service, Kiehl’s continues to serve the finest skin and hair care made with uniquely efficacious, natural ingredients.
*Just kidding!
