Von Maur is an upscale specialty department store chain with virtually all stores located in the Midwestern United States, except one in Louisville, Kentucky. The chain, based in Davenport, Iowa, sells upscale brand-name apparel,
accessories, cosmetics, gifts, jewelry and shoes. As of November 3,
2008, the chain has 24 stores in nine states. (A store opening in
September of 2010 in Missouri will mark the chain's entry into a tenth
state.) All of its stores are anchors of shopping malls or lifestyle centers. A hallmark of some of the Von Maur services are a no-interest bearing credit card account, free shipping and free gift wrapping. Another signature element of Von Maur stores is a live pianist who performs for customers during normal business hours. It competes on the same level as Nordstrom, and Lord and Taylor.