Father-of-two Gordon Thompson, 33, saluted friends as he was remanded in custody and led to the cells.
He is alleged to have triggered the inferno which saw Reeves of Croydon, a family business that had survived two world wars, reduced to a charred ruin during last week's disturbances.
Images of the blazing store and a young woman leaping from an upper storey illustrated the wave of anarchy which swept across London for four days.
Painter and decorator Thompson, wearing a grey sweater and ripped jeans, was charged with two counts of arson, one of recklessly endangering life, two of burglary and one of violent disorder.
He spoke only to confirm his name and address at Croydon magistrates' court.
Thompson is also accused of stealing a lap-top computer from Reeves and 'various items' from the nearby House of Fraser department store.
He was remanded to Inner London Crown Court on August 22.
District Judge Robert Hunter said: 'Due to the gravity and serious nature of these offences bail is denied.'
The building Thompson is alleged to have set alight has since been demolished. The street on which it stood, Reeves Corner, was named after the business founded in Croydon in 1867.
At the same court, an airport worker who is five months pregnant admitted receiving £10,000 worth of stolen guitars and hair extensions looted last week.
Alicia Wilkinson's home was 'jam-packed with stolen goods' and amongst the haul were several expensive guitars and two plasma TVs
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