Fuchs & Gelbstein

Aruba’s first department store, on Nassauastraat (now Caya Betico), was founded in 1932 by Adolf Fuchs, Israel Gelbstein, and Haïm Gottfried, who soon sold his share to his partners.

The storefront was completely destroyed in the major fire that ravaged Nassaustraat in 1948, but it was rebuilt within two years. The new Fuchs & Gelbstein storefront featured Art Deco architecture that was striking for Aruba. Later, it was called No. 1 Store. Here general consumer goods were sold at very reasonable prices.

Fuchs and Gelbstein sourced their products from the Far East, primarily Japan. They spoke Japanese themselves, which facilitated business. They sold their products under their own brand name: Fu-Ge. However, the quality of the products, compared to today’s standards, left much to be desired: colored shirts were practically colorless after a few washes; Shoes tore open after a while and toys were made of thin tin that many a child cut their fingers on.

Unfortunately, the owners of No. 1 Store fell out; the dispute dragged on for many years, and the building fell into disrepair. It was demolished in 1995.