Steimatzky
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Steimatzky (Hebrew: סטימצקי), is the oldest and largest bookstore chain in Israel, founded by Yechezkel Steimatzky in 1925.
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[edit] Early history
The first store opened in 1925 on Jaffa Road in Jerusalem by Yechezkel Steimatzky a Russian-born immigrant from Germany. He had originally came to Palestine on a short visit for the opening of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and decided to stay after he saw the potential in opening a foreign language bookstore that would serve a growing immigrants' market as well as British Army soldiers serving under the British Mandate of Palestine. The concept was so successful that he opened an additional store in Haifa later that year. By 1948, another store opened on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv.
[edit] Expansion
In 1927, Steimatzky saw the potential for expansion throughout the Middle East and opened a store in Beirut. The company name was changed to Steimatzky Middle East Agency. During World War II, a Steimatzky store opened in Baghdad next to the British Army base, and soon after in Cairo, Alexandria, and Damascus. The expansion came to a halt with the outbreak of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and the nationalization of all the bookstores in the Arab countries.
[edit] Mergers and partnerships
In 1963, the son of founder Yechezkel, Eri Steimatzky, joined the company and became its general manager. In 1995, the Steimatzky company purchased the Sifri chain with seven stores. The chain was a virtual monopoly in Israel until 2002 when two smaller competitors (Tzomet Hasfarim, Yerid Hasfarim) and Modan Publishing House united under Tzomet Hasfarim banner numbering about forty stores. In 2004, Steimatzky merged with Keter Publishing House. In 2005, Markstone Capital Partners Fund purchased the company for $50 - 60 million including over 150 stores and the 49% Steimatzky share in the publishing house. [1].
In 2006, Steimatzky operated stores in 68 cities in Israel as well as in London and Los Angeles. It is estimated that the company holds a 40% share in the Israeli book retailing market and employs over 700 people worldwide.
In September 2007, Eri Steimatzky announced his retirement from the chain, leaving the company in the hands of Markstone Capital Partners Fund.
