Monroe Milstein, Founder of Burlington Coat Factory, Dies at 98

Burlington, New Jersey — Monroe Milstein, the founder who grew Burlington Coat Factory from a small coat store into a national retail powerhouse, has died at the age of 98 after battling dementia. Milstein passed away earlier this month, leaving behind a legacy in the retail industry.

Born on January 14, 1927, in the Bronx, New York, Milstein was the son of Ann and Abe Milstein, who founded Amherst Fashions. At age 11, his family moved to Manhattan, where he graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in business from New York University in 1946.

In 1949, Milstein married Henrietta Haas, an elementary school teacher who had escaped the Holocaust. Henrietta played a vital role in the company, particularly in developing its children’s wear division. She passed away in 2001.

Milstein’s journey with Burlington began in 1972 when he purchased a defunct factory in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,000. He aimed to create a retail destination, launching Burlington Coat Factory, which offered discounted designer coats for men, women, and children.

Three years later, the company opened its second location in Copiague, Long Island. Milstein’s eldest son, Lazar, managed the store, adhering to his Orthodox Jewish beliefs by keeping the store closed on Saturdays.

In 1982, Milstein refocused the business on discount retailing, shutting down its wholesale operations. He took Burlington public in 1983, with only 32 stores, raising the capital necessary for rapid expansion.

In 2006, Bain Capital acquired Burlington for $2.06 billion, with the Milstein family receiving $1.3 billion. Milstein stepped away from the business, although his sons, Andrew and Stephen, held executive roles for some time.

By the early 2000s, Burlington Coat Factory had grown into a major national chain with hundreds of outlets, selling brand-name goods at significant discounts. Today, it operates around 1,100 locations in the U.S., generating approximately $10.6 billion in sales over the past year.

Milstein remarried in 2003 to Judith Kirshenbaum, with whom he was together for 22 years. He is survived by his children, including stepson Barry, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom carry on his values of hard work and integrity.