Purdy-Kresge Library all divisions into one general library. The merger began with the renovation of the General Library which was renamed the Purdy Kresge Library and all services were stationed on the first floor. In September 1969, Purdy passed but his name will live on at Wayne State University. In 1972, the Wayne State Board of Governors supported the renaming of the General Library as the G. Flint Purdy Library because of his dedication to libraries and Wayne State University. The Purdy-Kresge Library is also named after Sebastian S. Kresge. Kresge was the founder of the S.S. Kresge Company. The company started
Kresge-Newark in turn leased the top two floors of its flagship store to the Western Electric Company for use as office space. Kresge-Newark also took a lead in many civic improvements and was active in the early planning of the Gateway Center (which opened long after the store's demise). The store also formed an alliance with Asbury Park-based Steinbach. In 1964 with it clear that his heirs had no desire to take over the department store business, the Kresge Foundation sold the stores to David Chase, and they were rebranded Chase-Newark. In 1967 Chase-Newark announced it was closing, and four selling