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| Click for Arcadia's new bookabout Bullock's by Devin T. Frick |
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| A characterful drawing of Bullock's large downtown flagship, showing the collection of connected structuresat the corner of Hill and 7th Streets. |
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| Another view of the same corner emphasizes the 10- story structure on the corner of Hill & 7th which was begun in 1928. |
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| A seven story building anchored the corner of Broadway and 7th Streets. The Broadway and Hill buildings were 'connected by an alleyway known as St. Vincent's Court. The store caused controversy when it wanted to connect its structures abovethis passage, but ultimately prevailed. |
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| The last major component of this array of buildings was the Store for Men on Hill Street, opened in 1934. |
Bullock’s (1904)
Broadway, Hill and Seventh
Los Angeles, CA
MAdison 7-1911
Below Street Level
Hill Street Men’s Sportswear • Men’s Sportswear Accessories • Camera Shop • Luggage • Sporting Goods • Boots and Saddle Shop • Bullock’s Soup Bar
Street Floor
Hill Street Fine Jewelry • Watches • Clocks • Silver
Talk of the Town Shop Jewelry-Handbags-Stationery
Town and Travel Dresses • Town and Travel Sportswear • Town and Travel Country Clothes • Town and Travel Coats & Suits • Men’s Accessories • Men’s Furnishings • Men’s Shoes • Men’s Hats • Men’s Gift Shop • Smoke Shop • Stationery • Social Engraving
Broadway Cutlery • Hosiery • Fashion Accessories • Handbags • Personal Leather Goods • Women’s Gloves • Leg Fashions • Fashion Jewelry • Fashion Tops • Street Floor Sweaters • Blouses Plus • Street Floor Bra Bar • Street Floor Lingerie • Cosmetics • Toiletries • Toiletries Accessories • Magic Nut and Candy Shop • Notions
Mezzanine
Hill Street Sundeck Sportswear
Second Floor
Hill Street Fine Linens • Casual Linens • Decorative Linens • Patio Linens • Sheets • Bedding • Towels • Closet Shop • Store for Boys • Men’s Clothing • The Wynbrier Shop • Men’s Robes • Varsiti Shop • Luggage
South Bridgeway Photographic Studio
Broadway Californienne Shop • Patio Shop • Uniforms • Maternity Shop • Yardage • Woolens • Cottons • Silks and Rayons • Lace & Edgings
Third Floor
Hill Street 29-39 Shop • Little Money Dresses • Miss Angelena Shop • Fashion Gallery • Innovators • Status Sportswear • Status Dresses • Emphasis Sportswear • Emphasis Dresses • Emphasis Collectables • Outerwear • Florentine Room • Sherwyn Sportswear • Sherwyn Shoes • Sherwyn Suits • Bridal Salon • Bridal Consultant • Pronto Room
South Bridgeway Fur Fashions • Sherwyn Coats • Sherwyn Millinery
Broadway Sherwyn Dresses • Lady Bullock Dresses • Lady Bullock Sportswear • Millinery • Florentine Room Coats and Suits • Dorothy Mills Shopping Service
Fourth Floor
Hill Street Collegienne Coats & Suits • Collegienne Sportswear • Collegienne Dresses • Collegienne Shoes • Collegienne Lingerie • Young Attitude • Art Needlework • Yarns
South Bridgeway Robes • Campus Hi Shop
Broadway Fashion Shoes • Town and Travel Shoes • Young Attitude Shoes • Sleepwear • Robes and Leisurewear • Daytime Lingerie • Bra and Body Fashions • Young Attitude Lingerie • Women’s Slippers
Fifth Floor
Hill Street Curtains • Drapery Fabrics • Lamps • 1001 Shop
South Bridgeway Bedroom Accessories
Broadway Toys • Young Shoes • Baby Shop • Toddler Shop • Children’s Lingerie • Three to Six Shop • 7-14 Shop • Girls’ Accessories • Twix-Teen Shop • Girls’ Sleepwear • Young Junior Dresses • Young Junior Sportswear
Sixth Floor
Hill Street Oriental Rugs • Casual Rugs • Carpeting • Radios • Televisions • Electronics • Records
Broadway Housewares • Small Electrics • Dining Accessories • China • Bridal Gift Registry • Glassware • Bath Shop • Major Appliances • Barbecue Shop • Trim The Home Shop
Seventh Floor
Hill Street Sleep Shop • Furniture Shops • Modern Furniture • Occasional Furniture • Traditional Furniture • Contemporary Furniture • Provincial Shop • Boudoir Shop • The Home Boutique • Tunbridge Shop Antiques • Decorative Accessories • Gifts • Homemaker Shop • Wynfair Shop • Studio of Interior Design
Broadway The Sun Shop • Poolside Shop • Homeworks
Eighth Floor
The Palmetto Room
Ninth Floor
Bullock's Beauty Salon
Tenth Floor
Executive Offices • Assembly Room
(806,000 sq. ft.)
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| Pasadena South Lake Street September, 1947 314,000 sq. ft. The Coral Room |
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| Westwood September, 1951 233,000 sq. ft. The Lotus Tea Room |
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| Santa Ana Fashion Square September, 1958 336,000 sq. ft. The Estrella Room The Sweet Shop |
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| Sherman Oaks (1962) Fashion Square April, 1962 310,000 sq. ft. The Encino Room The Pronto Room |
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| Lakewood April, 1965 262,000 sq. ft. The Laguna Room The Lagunita Room |
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| Del Amo Fashion Square September, 1966 262,000 sq. ft. The Tea Room Men’s Grill |
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| La Habra August, 1968 Fashion Square 271,000 sq. ft. The Tea Room Ice Cream Parlour |
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| Northridge Fashion Center September, 1971 175,000 sq. ft. Café Oblique Post Haste Coffee Shop |
Stanford Shopping Center
Palo Alto
1972
180,000 s.f.
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| South Coast Plaza (1973) September, 1973 Costa Mesa 187,000 sq. ft. Restaurant Coffee Shop |
Walnut Creek
Broadway Plaza
1973
188,000 s.f.
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| Mission Valley San Diego March, 1975 188,000 sq. ft. |
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| West Covina The Plaza September, 1975 150,000 sq. ft. |
Vallco Fashion Park
Cupertino
1975
180,000 s.f.
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| Century City September, 1976 136,000 sq. ft. |
Scottsdale, AZ
Camel View Plaza
January, 1977
159,000 s.f.
Stonestown
San Francisco
1977
176,000 s.f.
159,000 s.f.
Stonestown
San Francisco
1977
176,000 s.f.
Oakridge Mall
San Jose
1978
148,000 s.f.
Chris-Town
Phoenix, AZ
1979
162,000 s.f.
Plaza Camino Real
1980
Carlsbad
Carlsbad
Mission Viejo Mall
1980
Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo
Coming in due course.
The reason that each Bullock's location had their own distinct logos up unitl the late 1960's (the Del Amo store) was that each store had their own team of buyers, management, and advertising staff. Even their fashion labels had the logo of that specific Bullock's location where it was sold. Even some of their departments were distinctively named depending on the location. I'm not sure if any other department store chain in the US ever had those type of techniques.
ReplyDeleteBecause it's a bad "technique." To lose economies of scale and waste time and effort repeating efforts. It's bad business.
DeleteIt was a great chain and it catered to the local community for each community, I'd have to say that if Department stores and brick and mortar in general did this they would be in better shape when competeing with online retailers.
DeleteThis is really Interesting. I just came across a vintage Pendleton jacket that had the Bullock's Sportwear for Men label that featured a reddish human figure with maybe some golf clubs (can't tell because the label is fading). Been trying to figure out where it came from.
DeleteRandy, you bring up an interesting point. In addition to all of this, Bullock's had some quite individual store designs as well. Twice, within the last few years, I was in Pasadena for the Cal Tech graduation (2 of my three PhD nieces and nephew) and visited the former Bullock's Pasadena. In spite of the (in my opinion) mediocre offerings of the store today, you could certainly see what a fabulous piece of retail design it was, and how it inspired depression-and-war-weary Americans with its clean lines, luxurious materials, and fascinating layout.
ReplyDeleteBullock's business organization, as you describe it, seems to have lasted until the mid-sixties. Bullock's Wilshire, though, maintained its own identity. Given the consolidation and merger approach which ultimately caused many of the great individual stores to disappear, I am surprised (yet glad) that Bullock's took this more complex and, probably, costly approach.
I would assume that Bullock's felt that this was the best way to serve customers in the diverse communities in which it located its stores.
I believe the change to centralized buying/advertising etc was driven by the acquisition of Bullock's by Federated Department Stores in 1964. IMHO, to continue to grow Bullock's under the old organizational structure would've been too costly and unwieldy. Plus, with the advent of computerized merchandising systems, a buyer in downtown Los Angeles could monitor sales in all her stores across the chain. Unfortunately, that buyer no longer was able to walk out onto the selling floor and interact with their customers and salespeople, and, in time, the level of service and knowledge has dropped to the level it is today, where salespeople are really no more than cashiers.
ReplyDeleteWell stated. All of the consolidation, while it may have been driven by technology and logic, has led to a situation where most stores today, in trying to be all things to all people, satisfy no one very well.
ReplyDeleteI lived for a while in a communist country. They had one state department store, a state high-fashion (hah!) store, a state housewares store ("1001 Novelties" was its name) and so on. That situation is frighteningly similar to our retail climate now that the centralization you mention has reached its current state.
This is my first time to this site,it is wonderful.You did miss one Bullocks.The Beverly Center(mall)store.On the 6th,& 7th floor,it was quite a shopping center.8 stories tall,the 6th,& 7th,shopping,the 8th,the food court.On La Cienega,& Beverly Bl.in Los Angeles,near Beverly Hills.Built,& opened in 1979,its a place to go see.Now Macys,& Bloomingdales,its other department store,was the now out of bus.Broadway,Calif.An enclosed mall,it is still a site to see,& still going after 31 yrs.I would say for a mall,that is pretty good.Also in this mall is the first five levels is parking,& on the first level corner,is Macys Mens store,the only one of its type,there from the mid 1990s.
ReplyDelete....Glenn, Here in the year 2017,I was hoping someone would mention The Beverly Center location. Beverly Center didn't open until Fall of 1982. I moved from Michigan where the owner (The Taubman Co.)is still based, to help open the Beverly center. I left just before opening to work for another shopping center developer, The Rouse Company. Rouse built the original Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica,CA. The Beverly Center is still going strong here in 2017 and under yet another multi-million dollar renovation to keep current and ahead of the nearby "The Grove" "outdoor" shopping center. There is a lot of competition in what is left of department stores AND the old classic shopping center. There hasn't been an enclosed shopping center built in over 20-years. The concept of the enclosed shopping center has been around since the late 40's. Many a developer will argue who actually built the first enclosed shopping center. On line shopping has changed the way retail works.
Delete@glenn gilbert, Beverly Center actually opened in 1982.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the great Bullock's Scottsdale, Arizona store-- what a great store, although it had a quirky "get you lost" layout.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful store with great merchandise. At last check it was a Macy's store.
I know what you mean about the quirky get you lost layout. It was like a labyrinth, because when you got off the escalator, you would have to go all the way around through several departments. I worked there from 1977-78 a year after it was built. I was the manager of china, silver, crystal and gifts. It was truly a wonderful exposure to the finest things in life: Wedgewood, Lennox, Baccarat, and Gorham sterling silver to name a few things.
DeleteThey made the best smelling sope that my father bought my mom ever I can't tell you how many years ago it still has it's fragrance to this day 2022 it's called Rose Geranium
DeleteI had the privilege of working at Bullock's as an Assistant Buyer in the late 1980's; I had transferred from another division and to say I felt I was in retail heaven is an understatement. It was also an organization evocative of it's time; highly competitive, dramatic, not for the weak, and too fantastic to last. The Campeau takeover of Federated, IMHO, set the gears in motion for the death of the local department store. As for Macy's acquisition and merger of Bullock's in 1988 first into Macy's South, then Macy's West, I hope never again to experience the unprofessional conduct displayed in those early meetings, where I saw people's careers and lives destroyed for no other purpose than greed. As for me, I have held numerous executive retail positions with fantastic companies, but my loyalty is to myself.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI agree
DeleteBullock's did have the store at Scottsdale Fashion Square/Camelview Plaza, though don't know the exact years of that.
ReplyDeleteIts actually part of Dillard's flagship store (largest in the chain), though the Dillards also took part of the existing mall for their store.
I believe there was a second Bullock's in Arizona, at Chris Town Mall in Phoenix. That later became a Dillards, then a Dillard's outlet, and now demolished and a Target is in its place.
Yes two AZ stores Chris Town & Scottsdale.
DeleteLets not forget Bullocks Las Vegas Located at the Fashion Show Mall. There was also a second San Diego store, Bullocks Grossmont in La Mesa. I don't believe Bullocks Mission Viejo is San Diego but maybe O.C.
And don't forget Bullocks North which was a short run failed attempt at Bullocks in Northern California. They used a different credit card. It was a butter yellow card marked Bullocks and didn't mention Bullocks Wilshire on it. I think most of the Northern California Bullocks became Nordstrom
ReplyDeleteThe individual buying while a great idea at the time did have its drawbacks. You are correct that once Federated took over they stopped the practice. The best analogy I can use today is Nordstrom. Nordstrom discontinued its practice of regional buying about 10 years ago, when it realized it was hurting its overall business. You can not have Buyer's doing their owe thing by reason and not have a central vision...which was Nordstrom's problem. Sales sank and merchandise arrangements were not even similar even in the same locale. As a result it was stopped. Whether we like it or not, those days, such as with Bullocks, are long gone.
ReplyDeletePlease come visit our Bullock's Group on Flickr
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/groups/1383616@N25/
I've read from an article in a retail industry magazine from c.1979 that Bullock's once considered a Northwest division in Seattle and possibly Portland.
ReplyDeleteThe Bullock's in Mission Valley (San Diego) was the most beautiful store in the chain. All wood and brick inside....service was individual and the store never appeared crowded (although it was not very large). Eventually all the good shopping moved to Fashion Valley down the road.
ReplyDeleteI worked as a Divisional Manager at Mission Valley and yes it was a beautiful store.
DeleteHaving worked at Bullocks for 24 years it's good to note how accurate the analysis and information is. I helped open the San Diego store but, I thought that was in 1984. My only regret there was that I never purchased the one and only "Golden Gun" used in the Bond Film "The Man With The Golden Gun" which was on consignment by Swank. With my discounts it would have cost me then $1200.00
ReplyDeleteI worked for Bullock's/Macy's in 1980 to '81 in Carlsbad. CA, then returned in '83 and worked for another 13 years there. I transferred to the Mission Valley Store in '87. I managed Bath & Bedding there. It was very hard times as Macy's bought us and then the demise. All the good brands left. The three bankruptcies hurt too. Overall, I have very good memories and retail is in my blood. Scott S. Spenceley, Beaverton, OR dougbill1@yahoo.com also on FB :oD
ReplyDeleteI have been following this blog for about a year and my sentiments are similar to Glen North. All of the information people have been providing here, seems very consistent with my recollection as well.
ReplyDeleteI was born in LA in 1962 and my father worked for Bullock's starting in the late 40's. I grew up shopping at The Bullock's Pasadena store, and sometimes, the Wilshire store - I definitely remember the splendor of that building and am grateful that the law school that owns the building has preserved that important landmark of Wishire Blvd.. I always got my hair cut at the Pasadena barber shop and ate on occasion at the tea room in Pasadena, where they had live models walking the floor with the latest, fine dresses.
My dad's last position was V.P. of operations in Southern California until 1972 when we moved to the Bay area where he ran the Northern division as President and eventually Chairman. During that time, he oversaw all of the expansion in N. Cal. post Walnut Creek - Cupertino, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland in the works and the "ahead of its time and mal-climate-controlled" tent store in Mariners Island (San Mateo). I also recall that my dad in some capacity helped open the Fashion Valley (San Diego) store when he worked in So. Cal., as we went to a City Council meeting for the approval process. My dad took me up to meet the then, mayor of San Diego, Pete Wilson. I believe that must have been around the early 1970's.
My latest and most difficult memories of his tenure at Bullocks were the early 80's. During the recession, even though the retail climate was bleak, there was an enormous amount of pressure from Federated Dept. Stores to remain profitable. My opinion is that Northern California already had a well established store in Saks 5th Avenue to compete against, and on the other side, Macy's as an all around competitor. But not certain as to exactly why Bullocks never had the same success as the Southern California stores. Shortly after my father passed away in 1982, Federated sold the Norther Cal. stores to Nordstrom.
One thing that seemed to be consistent from the beginning, was the unique and beautiful stores they built. Always very high end architecture and interiors. The stand outs being Bullock's Wilshire, Pasadena, Westwood, Lakewood, Fashion Valley and South Coast Plaza (which are identical aesthetics) and the Mariner's Island store, which although a total failure due to poor mechanical engineering, blew the doors off traditional retail store architecture and introduced the concept of shopping in daylight as opposed to florescent light, not to mention the spacial aspect, seismic benefits and lowered energy costs. L.Gene Zelmer was the architect and the engineer was Horst Berger of Geiger Berger Engineers. Im looking forward to following this excellent Blog - thanks BAK !
thanks for the insider perspective. Very informative
DeleteExcellent post, and comments. And right up the alley of:
ReplyDeletehttp://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=5424735&posted=1#post5424735
awesome site! i was an employee of the Beverly Center store, which was run by "Mrs. P".....she ran a tight ship and i think was one of the real old school type store managers who came up in the bullocks ranks
ReplyDeleteWas that Cecelia Palicini?
DeleteHad to be Cecelia. She was AWESOME and one of the best to work with at DelAmo
DeleteThat had to be Cecelia. She was one of the best operations managers ever at Bullock's #12 DelAmo.
DeleteYou can't imagine how beautiful and stunning the Bullock's stores were, specifically the Wilshire and Pasadena stores. Amazing time-capsules.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the Mission Valley/San Diego store in 1979/80....so it had to have opened earlier than that!
ReplyDeletePlease remember that it is "Bullock's" and "Bullocks Wilshire". Bullocks Wilshire did not use the possessive.
ReplyDeleteI was in Corporate Training in the 80's and have visited all of the Bullock's and BW stores. So proud of those beautiful buildings and especially proud of the professional sales people who gave individual sales cultures and personalities to each store. I smiled as I watched the Macy's parade this year and saw Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren - a former Bullock's Executive Trainee,who rose through the Bullock's and BW ranks and whose big claim to fame was the battery operated tie spinner that made the 4th quarter of 84. :)
Mr Heidrick,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your extremely interesting post. I grew up in San Francisco and have very fond memories of shopping at Bullock's Northern California stores. They too, were beautiful buildings, like their Southern California sisters. Perhaps if they had managed to hang on a little longer, subsequent remodels of the malls in Stonestown, Stanford, Walnut Creek, and Oakridge might've been enough to make the division profitable.
I remember going to Bullock's dowtown Los Angeles in the 50s & 60s and seeing different depts. with different names like "THE SHERWYN SHOP", "TALK OF THE TOWN', "THE WYNBRIER SHOP" AND "TOWN AND TRAVEL" SHOPS". Can anyone tell me about the styles of those departments?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: giving a department, or group of departments a name was common in the hey day of the regional department store. Names could be drawn from many sources and were unique to the individual company.Generally speaking, Sherywn Sportswear at Bullock's was women's moderate apparel; Town and Travel Sportswear was the next price point up. I also suggest going to Flickr and do a search for Bullock's under 'groups' for photos and discussions.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Del Amo store (#12) starting March of 1982 to March of 1984. I was behind the scenes during the store remodel and eventually working in shipping/receiving and a stock clerk in one of the departments but having gained a knowledge of virtually every department in the store. The Del Amo store at that time was run by James B Slayden GM, David Mintz Asst GM and Cecila Palicini and Michael Booth as Co-Operations Managers during the remodeling. This management team was bar none, the best management team I have ever had the pleasure of working for. Under this management team, Del Amo was like a huge family. Eventually, people retired, promoted or otherwise went separate ways. Some of the replacements attempted to carry on the family tradition. Unfortunately, others came in with over-inflated egos, thinking only of themselves. It was the beginning of the end. I came back briefly in November of 1985 and left for other pursuits in 1987 when I could no longer stand what the management at that time had done to the place and to the moral of the associates. On occasion as I pass by the building, the outside looks about the same with the exception of the "Macy's" logo. Inside, it's a mess. Very few of the associates know anything of the products they sell. Customer service is pretty much non-existent. Over the years, I have heard horror story after horror story from associates who have attempted to stay on through the Macy's merger. What a shame.
ReplyDeleteI recently learned of the sudden passing of James Slayden. All of us who have had the pleasure of working with and for him will miss him now just as we did when he left the store and subsequently retired. There may never be another one like him anywhere.
I worked for Bullock's in Carlsbad from 1989 - 1994. They were the best retail years of my life. Fashion shows, bridal fairs, personal shoppers, all the glamour of old school department stores. I started as the Inventory Control Manager and was soon promoted to Operations Manager. Only when Macy's took over and the operations team from Macy's became tyrants did I hate my job. They wanted to reinvent the wheel and make changes like painting the freight elevator (like that really mattered). I was transferred to Costa Mesa (against my wishes) which was too long of a commute for me from Oceanside and left the company. It was a sad way to end just a wonderful company.
ReplyDeleteIn 1974 I got my first Christmas job, wrapping packages at Bullock's Westwood. Then, I was promoted to the shoe department. How I detested having to pretend that patrons had smaller feet than they actually did. I preferred working "back stage" wrapping shoe boxes. After a hiatus I started working at the employees cafeteria from which I was promoted to the tearoom where I worked as hostess. When a CEO on lunch break discovered that I was studying Fashion Design, Marketing and Illustration at UCLA Extension, she gave me a job in the accounting department. I got a calculator and a chair in a closet. I cried the first day and gave notice the next. "Pull yourself together young lady," the female CEO said, "If you're lucky your manager at the Tea Room will still have you back." And so he did. Great memories. Loved that store! Thanks for creating this museum, wonderful endeavor!
ReplyDeleteThere *was* a Bullock's at the Scottsdale Fashion Square. It closed in 1996. I worked that Christmas season at the SFS Robinsons May store, and as I was a very recent transplant from Indiana and had never seen a Bullock's before, I asked my coworkers about it. I later drove over to its parking lot and was saddened at the sight: the store was completely abandoned, but its signs were still up. There were palm trees on each side of its big front doors, and they were in disrepair. The store deserved better.
ReplyDeleteBullock's Mission Valley (not Fashion Valley!) opened in 1975 - I believe in June. I also helped open the store - in the furniture department (sales). I transferred to the South Coast Plaza furniture dept. and after a little while decided to go into management. Federated had the best Management Training Program - I still carry with me so much of what I learned during it. it was renowned & remains on my resume. When I moved to NY, Bloomingdales welcomed me w/ opened arms. Most of the top management from the70"s went on to have very prestigious positions w/in Federated - Allen Questrom w/ the Atlanta division, Michael Steinberg with Macys NY. Jack Hruska who was the head of display for the home store is now Bloomingdale’s executive vp, creative services, & Bill Mackin his counterpart in SCP is now an executive VP @ Neiman Marcus. Yes the stores were gorgeous, but we were also a family (& I had 2!)
ReplyDeleteI went looking for & came across this site because 1) I came discovered some photos from then - both stores, and 2) I live in downtown LA & was trying to figure out where the store was. According to the history of the company, the 1st store was 2 blocks from me, but the location it moved to, which is the one I knew, I believe was torn down and is now my local Ralph's :(. The Macy's SCP located in the old Bullock's building is the best on the west coast. It's very bizarre walking thru it and the mall. I remember when I. Magnin opened in the new wing of the mall (& what clothes I bought there @ the opening), which is now a lousy Saks.
I still have a Bullock's SCP sweatshirt from my days in management - can't throw it away, but don't know what to do w/it. Any ideas?
Love to hear more for a book about South Coast Plaza. Particularly the "pecking order" of the department stores as new ones opened: Bullock's, I. Magnin, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Ave. in the late 1970s.
Deletekedfrancis@gmail.com
Pecking order> I. Magnin, Saks, then Nordstrom, Bullock's.
DeleteAs a kid growing up in Southern California I remember Bullock's with great fondness because it was everyone working and shopping there seemed so sophisticated. As a young adult, I remember being able to shop there when I got my first job. The service, selection always impressed. The caliber of associates was second to none. All this is sorely missing in todays retail climate. It's a huge shame this store isn't around any longer.
ReplyDeleteThe Mission Valley store opened on February 19, 1975.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous(Mar 24,2012)I can answer your question, have a question of my own, and a couple of minor corrections and additions.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Federated's Executive Training (as it was called in the mid-80's)has served me well in my personal and professional life. Although the Bullock's nameplate has been gone since 1996, I still find it to be a hallmark on my resume.
As for management alumni: Allen Questrom came back to Bullock's as CEO in 1984 from Rich's. He was promoted in late 1987 to a Federated Director of Stores position. He then headed Neiman Marcus, Federated (as CEO), Barneys New York,and J.C Penney where he retired in 2004. His protege Terry Lundgren, followed Questrom to Neiman Marcus,then back to Federated,now Macy's Inc.
I had the priviledge of working with Michael Steinberg at Federated's Sanger Harris division, later renamed Foley's. Steinberg came out of retirement to run Federated's Macy's West division from 1994-1999. James Grey retired as president(1994-2007) of Federated's Macy's East division. In total, he served Federated for 46 years, mostly at Bullock's, where he was President at the time of the Campeau takeover disaster.
I was not aware that Jack Hruska who I worked with elsewhere had worked at Bullock's.
The original Bullock' downtown store buildings stretch from 639 S. Broadway to the corner at Seventh: west along Seventh to Hill, then north to 634 S. Hill St. The replacement store was at Seventh Street Marketplace aka 7th & Fig now under redevelopment as FIG&7th. Target will go into portions of the former Bullock's and May Co.buildings.
The Saks Fifth Avenue in South Coast Plaza has remained in its same spot since 1979. It was the I.Magnin location that became the Macy's Men's Store.
You may want to check with FIDM's Orange County campus regarding donating the sweatshirt. Or put it up on eBay. Bullock's ephemera can command good prices.
what a great site. i have thought of so many former bullocks associates over the past years.
ReplyDeletelynn.m.bonilla smith now
I haven't visited this site in over a year. Good to see it's still active.
ReplyDeleteIn reading Paul C.Heidrick's note from a year ago it reminds me that as the Traffic Manager for both Bullock's South and Bullock's North I would visit the Bullock's North DC every month and then meet with B.P.Heidrick the following day.
Hi, I have a question for you. My husband and I bought a bunch of old records at a garage sale recently, and included in the lot was a "H.R.S. ART ALBUM NO. 5" from the "Record Section... Sixth Floor, Bullock's Hill Street Building". It also has printed on the inner cover "BULLOCK'S DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES" and "Printed in U.S.A.". It is a brown (possibly leather), 12 sleeve vinyl record binder with decorative embossing on the front, and gold embossing on the spine. It appears to be fairly old and is in decent condition. All 12 sleeves are still intact. I tried to find any information on this item, but could find out nothing about it. I can send you photos of it if you would like. I hope you can tell me something about its age and possible worth. Thanks for you time.
ReplyDeleteThe first floor of Bullock's Westwood just opened as a "City" Target. Spectacular mid-century facade still intact and pretty as ever.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the name of the restaurant in the Bullock's Mission Valley San Diego store? Something like Zarrela's???
ReplyDeletelmo4139@aol.com
I worked in the Northridge store from the late 70's to early 80's in the drapes,, rugs and carpet department as a stock/sales associate. While it is true that the buying office was already centralized at the time, the buyers listened to the managers what they thought would sell at their stores. I remember being asked several times what I thought of one pattern or another and if we could sell it. Managers in that time still had power over what was sold in their departments as if it was their own shops. The manager and I would go to a wholesale distributor to select oriental rugs for the department.
ReplyDeleteI also remember several instances when many of us would locate something for a customer at another store and we would occasionally even drive over and buy it ourselves and then return it at our own store so the customer could get the item in time. At the time I drove a motorcycle and strapping on a big item was a good challenge.
Thank you for this site. So sad to see the downtown L.A. location being used as a parking structure and home to Big Lots!
ReplyDeleteI had 2 stints with Bullock's. I was a Divisional Manager in Mission Valley in 1976 and then South Coast Plaza. I left the company and returned in the 80's working in the desert store and downtown buying office. Bullock's was a great store-nothing like the customer service and products we offered. So many people went on to Federated, etc. in their careers. I just found this site and would love to find my friends from the buying Junior Division offices in the mid 80's-Ginger Olson, Michelle, Jody, Karen, Heidi.
ReplyDeleteI joined Bullock's upon graduating from college in 1973 as an "executive trainee". My first boss/buyer was Miss K (Olga Katsufrakis) in the downtown store. I became an assistant buyer with the following chain of command: Buyer: Al Barrack; DMM: Mike Steinberg; GMM: Allan Questrom. Monday morning meetings with those characters were brutal, funny learning experiences. I was the domestics department manager in the Sherman Oaks store until the summer of 1976, when I left for graduate school.
ReplyDeleteFrank Rice was my father-in-law. He joined Bullock's in 1942 as copy writer in advertising. He retired in 1985 after 42 years with the company. He served as Store manager at Pasadena and was corporate VP of Advertising and Government and Community relations.
Frank used to regale me with stories of P.G. Winnett and the Bullock family in the days before the sale to Federated, which I think took place in 1966. He said the sale was extremely divisive to the organization.
Bullock's could have been one of the great luxury retailers with some foresight, leadership and luck. RIP.
There are some great comments on this site from individuals who were either employees with Bullocks or were customers of the chain. I have set up a Facebook Group called "Bullock's Department Store Memories" which is a continuation of this site reflecting the memories of those who worked for this store. There is a Bullock's reunion coming up later this month for former Buyers and Executives some of whom have not seen each other for 30 years.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantstic store! I was a kid in th 60s-my parents shopped there. First Pasadena, then La Habra. then West Covina, where we lived.
ReplyDeleteI've NEVER seen a department store to its equal. Robinsons was great, but to my memory never had the unique quality to each of its stores. There were stores like I. Magnin which were great and more expensive but my memories were that they were never the low key chic of Bullocks. People could aford to shop at Bullocks because the service, quality. and consideration given were so good. Return? No problem, no questions asked. Free gift boxes at christmas-best quality with class wraping. I loved going with my parents. Some families Robinsons, but mine was Bullocks all the way.
I forgot to add... if anyone is interested in making an offer on the Bullock's Pasadena paper bags...check out Craigs List listing for Glendale Yard Sale (California) in on Sat./Sun. 7/27-7/28. Stop by to see other cool stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog and website! Takes me back to a calmer time. Ahhh.
I forgot about making a note here which I should have done a LONG time ago.
ReplyDeleteMy former boss, whom I think EVERYBODY knew and respected, passed away over a year ago at age 86 and I don't know of many who knew. Jack Galen worked for Bullocks for OVER 50 years and remained until Macy's structure eliminated his position at the City of Industry DC.
I have a merchant bond from Bullocks Santa Ana. It appears to me to be pretty old. Is there any value in an item like this?
ReplyDeleteI have recently found out the origin of the "Sherwyn" department name. It's from the name of the parrot in which Mrs. John G. Bullock owned!
ReplyDeleteOne note:
ReplyDeleteIf you need a picture of the Bullock’s store at Century City, watch the last hour or so of the Movie “Selena” with Jennifer Lopez. She has to go shopping, and does so by running into Century City’s elegant shopping center on the side of the mall that, at that time, still said “Bullock’s”. My how fast stores change!
Wonderful days @ Woodland Hills and Lakewood as a buyer. Will never forget the people
ReplyDeletePlease include the Manhattan Beach store. Opened in late 1981 or so, and included the one and only "Country Store" department. My first job out of high school and some of the fondest memories I have. Worked the Country Store and Stationery, anybody else out there? Mary Pogreba
ReplyDeleteI worked in the advertising department at Bullock's in the early 70s and at Bullocks Wilshire in the late 70s, when the apostrophe was removed from BW's iconic logo. A lot of people were dismayed -- especially English teachers and conservationists, some of whom were outraged to discover that even the apostrophes on the building's historic copper nameplates had been unceremoniously deleted in an attempt to distinguish Bullocks Wilshire from "big" Bullock's.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to point out that Bullock's also opened a location in Grossmont Center, in La Mesa (a suburb east of San Diego) in 1983. It was short-lived, as R.H. Macy & Co. closed this location as part of their bankruptcy in 1993. R.H. Macy & Co. also opened a store in Burbank/Media City in 1992.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never been inside, but oh, how I vividly remember the bizarre Owens-Corning fiberglass tent structure in San Mateo’s Fashion Island Plaza, clearly visible by commuters crossing the San Mateo Bridge. I’ve heard tales that it was ice cold in the winter and roasting in the summer inside! Apparently, the one at Oakridge in San Jose (which was built first) also had the weird tent roof.
ReplyDeleteI recently obtained a pair of cufflinks in its "original" box. The box inside says Bullock's Santa Ana. There is no additional print on the box. I wish I will have more info on them. Maybe the year it was manufactured. I'm intrigued by it. I have done hours of search on line, and I have not found anything. I can send some pictures of the link if anyone can recognize them. I believe they are very unique and it will be some links that you will not forget easily. My email is enrie83@gmail.com. Any assistance its appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mom taking me to Bullocks downtown for shopping trips and at Christmas to see the window displays. Every time we went our first stop was the soup bar in the basement for the fabulous vegetable soup and deep dish apple pie and custard sauce. I've tried to locate the recipes but have been unable to find them. Does anyone know where they may be found? This is a treasured part of my childhood and I would love to make these wonderful treats for my grandchildren. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteI remember the La Mesa, Ca, store. They had great jewelry and on Valentine's Day, my husband would buy beautiful heart necklaces for me that I still enjoy. The elegant little cafe was a nice setting for Sunday lunch. Now, it's either a Macy's or Target, I can't remember the exact site.
ReplyDeleteDuring the days of Bullock's individual branch buying and advertising staffs, they each had unique department names corresponding to their locations, so perhaps when you have the opportunity, do some research and add directories for each location up to Del Amo. That four-level store, along with Lakewood and Sherman Oaks, had these special names for their floors: Home Store Level (1st), Collegienne Level (3rd), and Children's Level (4th). As for their main fashion floors (2nd), they were individually named El Paseo Level (Sherman Oaks), La Posada Level (Lakewood), and Plaza Level (Del Amo).
ReplyDeleteThe Bullock's Northridge store was a very avant garde design. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The mall was closed at the time or else there could have been a lot of injuries.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this fantastic blog! I began my retail career working as a sales associate while still in college at the South Coast Plaza Bullock's back in the 80's. I remember the men's dress shirt buyer visiting our department once a month, and he would spend most of his time helping customers and talking with us sales associates so he could better understand the customer. The merchandise assortment was amazing, and everything was very elegant and sophisticated. Customer service was king, and as another poster on here mentioned, if we were out of an item that a customer wanted, I would go to another location or other retail store, buy it on my credit card, then return it to Bullock's and call the customer telling them that their item was ready and available for purchase. Later on, I was accepted into the executive development program, and would go to Bullock's headquarters in downtown LA. I remember they had lots of Bullock's historic memorabilia on display in the lobby. After Macy's took over, I wondered what happened to all the Bullock's memorabilia. About 3 years ago, I was visiting the old Bullock's Pasadena store on Lake Ave (now Macy's), and was pleased to see that all the amazing architecture, art, and interior design of that store is still intact. They even had some of the Bullock's memorabilia on display in a sort of little museum in a part of the store, including the bronze bust of Mr. Bullock that used to be in the headquarters in downtown LA. I worked with some amazing people, and the magic of that kind of retail will never be seen again.
ReplyDeleteThough from the east coast, while attending school in the LA area in the mid 1990s I got to visit the local Pasadena Bullock's a few times a month before the Macy takeover. What a classy store! Bullock's was!
ReplyDeleteUpon hearing that Macy's was discontinuing the Bullock's name I grabbed a friend and we both lunched in the tearoom for the first time. I still have memories of that Saturday afternoon of eating sandwiches while watching a fashion show. As a guy I was not into fashion shows but I told my lunch companion we were participating in a local tradition which probably soon would disappear. I mentioned that when Macy's bought out our beloved Jordan Marsh the new owners not only eliminated the name but the restaurants and all the special amenities for which regional department stores were known. On my last visit to Pasadena I was happy to see Macy's nicely restored a lot of the store's interiors, Unfortunately, I thought the surrounding outside mall obstructs the beauty of the historic building. Too bad Bloomingdale's never went into this great building.
This is more of a question. Back in the early '70's, I met a woman named Mary Fewell Smith. The story was that she was a department store heiress. Very wealthy, lived in a beautiful house in Montecito that I did visit one time. Is there a connection with Bullock's? My sister thinks it was Robinson's.
ReplyDeleteHello Santa Barbara:
DeleteApologies as I am going off memory as I don't have my source info handy. Mr. Bullock (who passed in 1933) had two daughters, Helen and Margaret. Helen was married to a Mr. Fewel(sometimes spelled 'Fewell' and later, a Mr. Chappellet. One of her four children was named Mary Margaret Fewel Smith. There is a charming photo of Mr. Bullock holding his baby granddaughter Mary at the 1929 opening of Bullock's Wilshire branch store. You most likely can find that picture on the Bullock's/Bullocks Wilshire Facebook group.
How fun to find this blog. I worked in the Ladies Shoe Department at Bullock's in Mission Valley San Diego from 1980 until 1985. It's sad that people nowadays think of places like Macy's as a "fine" department store. Back then, we actually serviced people. The women would sit down and we would fasten ankle straps about them, we would slip pumps onto them, and we would actually show and educate them about which styles they would need to go with the outfits they might've just purchased. Today, unless you're in Neiman Marcus, maybe Nordstrom (and even their service has become dubious), it's help-yourself and bring it to the cash register once you've made your selection. There was a certain glamour that just doesn't exist any more. We did fashion shows, we hosted events, I even remember "mannequin modeling" on the pedestals near the escalators, holding perfectly still (for free since I was an employee while the professionals got $100 per hour, ha) and breaking pose just as the shoppers would stop long enough to wonder if we were real or not; those were the days. The memories flowing through me as I write this, they had the most fantastic restaurant upstairs called "The Zarzuela", I can't count how many Canton Chicken Salads, or bowls of the most amazing Cream of Broccoli soup, I ate there. I worked there in my early 20s and I learned all the social and interpersonal skills that have made me successful in my career today. I got to get dressed up for work, I learned how to dress correctly and appropriately, I dated the girls in Cosmetics (I actually sold shoes to the girl who I would later be introduced to officially, who became my wife and I'm still married to 28 years later!), I even ventured into the local modeling world myself...I guarantee there's not a kid today, I don't care how many Facebook friends they have, or followers on Twitter or Instagram they have, who can imagine the REAL thrill of becoming social, or recognized, or popular, or whatever, the way I did in the early 1980s and it was mainly because I had the priveledge of working at a great store like Bullock's...thanks for the trip down memory lane, lol.
ReplyDeleteHey Angelo, It's Eugene (Men's Suits & Shoes) and as I'd mentioned in my post below, I too was at that age when I arrived and yes it was an amazing experience. You probably don't remember me but, I do you and the beautiful women not only in cosmetics, but throughout the store. I envied your position in the Women's Shoe Department, but service throughout the store is what made us great. Congrats on a continued successful life afterwards! And to Bak thanks for the opportunity to revel in those memories and to share them with like minded individuals!
DeleteIn the early 1960's after high school, I worked for 4 years on the 11th floor of the Loew's State building across the street from Bullocks's 7th & Broadway. So, of course, I would go to Bullock's almost every day on my lunch hour to browse. I knew where EVERYTHING was and knew more than many of the salespeople. I still have my first Bullock's Charge-a-Card (think that's the name). Macy's doesn't compare.
ReplyDeleteLadies & Gentlemen: Let's (if we can) try to do a rundown on some of the restaurants and the movement towards closure of them in the stores. We think that the restaurants are a very important part of the store.A great example is the Coral Room in Pasadena. What is the story there ? Thank you one and all for your "family caring for family," service environment and BAK,thank you for this BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL museum! We appreciate your efforts so very very much ! God Bless !
ReplyDeleteI am honored by your compliment. Thank you and God Bless you, too.
ReplyDelete-Bruce
Hi, I worked in the display department at Bullock's Pasadena store from 1977-1979,later after I had quit to try something else, I was rehired and had many jobs helping me to further a career in cooking. The management was fantastic,keeping me employed,as I was newly married. While working in display, I remember Christmas time and the work it entailed, the huge tree that came in sections near the furniture and patio departments,the trees outside on the Lake St. entrance,and decorating the cosmetics department. My son got his first hair cut there,the barber's name was Saul. We bought our bedroom furniture there,they had great sales( a Missing dress after Christmas for$65.) I remember the manager,Mr.Leiter,a great man. Just visited recently and I am happy to see that you can still recognize it as it was,almost! Service is almost as good( compared to what passes for it now). I have never encountered a store,or management like it since. Wonderful memories of a forgotten time. Bill Potts
ReplyDeleteAm I correctly remembering that one of the San Diego stores (Mission Valley?) had a bargain area in the basement? I purchased a Burberry raincoat at an unbelievable price back then, and I could swear it was from Bullock's. I recall the "basement" carried deeply discounted St. John's and other elite clothing as well. Perhaps this was toward the end of its existence, but the prices were unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous:
DeleteYou don't mention what year you purchased that Burberry raincoat, but Bullock's Grossmont and Lakewood had their 'Grand Finale' clearance store-within-a-store as late as 1988, when Bullock's was sold to R.H. Macy. Incredible deals could indeed be found there. Bullocks Wilshire in Los Angeles also had a Finale on that location's lower level.
How true it is to find those you that revered the wonderful years(1980's) of True Retailing here on the west coast. I had just arrived to San Diego and was welcomed to a magnificent experience working for the Bullock's in Mission Valley, San Diego. I was interviewed and hired to work in the Mens Suits Department by an outstanding manager and individual by the name of Scott Norman. We had a dynamic group that worked full time in the Men's Department, there was Nina, Margaret Fulwider( I loved saying her full name), Martin, Robert (who taught me Yiddish)and some part timers Kathryn, Richard as I recall. There was a aire of elegance to the store maintained by it's Lead Merchandiser Robbi Kraft who later ask me and another dear friend Michael Jeffers to model our Men's Spring Selection at The Del Mar Horse Tracks for a special event. There were the visits to Wilshire, South Coast Plaza, and others that were always fun to be a part of. Working with the buyers in the men's department was very successful was proven to be lucrative and prosperous. I left there after some changes in management and Scott did shortly after also as he was hired by Feragmaos in NYC. Like many of you those experiences and memories will always be lasting. I
ReplyDeleteI bought an old set of chairs at a yard sale, and trying to date them. I can't post a picture, but maybe the owner of this blog can.
ReplyDeleteIt's an old pink shipping label that was stapled to the underside of the chair.
The Bullocks in Mission Valley San Diego became the Macy's Home Store (bedding, plates, furniture). The architecture of this building was absolutely hideous, even by 1975 standards. Ugly brown metal roofs. Really, really bad and sad. As of 2017, they are shutting it down this year.
ReplyDeleteThe Bullocks Manhattan Beach, CA store opened I think in 1982 in the new Manhattan Village Mall. The other side of the mall was anchored by Buffums. It had a restaurant. It was big back then even in the early 1980s, to shop and then eat. Buffums must have closed in the late 1980s, and Bullocks became a Macys' woman's store. Makes me so sad to see ALL of the department stores, and other stores of my youth gone- Bullocks, Robinsons, May Company, Buffums, Zodys, Mervyns, Kmart, and so many more. Sears is on it's way out too probably. Poor customer service and Amazon have destroyed them all.
ReplyDeleteFyi... Buffums went out of business in 1990.
DeleteI am considering a presentation on the history of midcentury Bullock's as part of Modernism Week's annual lecture series next February, as a follow up to this year's lecture on Ruth Shellhorn, the landscape architect that designed the landscapes for many of the earlier Bullock's stores (including Palm Springs, which I don't see in the list, above). I am trying to gauge interest in whether such a lecture would have much of an audience and how one might reach out to that group. Suggestions would be most welcome. Thank you in advance. Paul Ortega, Modernism Week (paul@modernismweek.com).
ReplyDeleteDo you know anything about Bullock's watches?
ReplyDeleteMy wife has one it was her Mom's, Phyliss Heidrick's (Wife of Bernard Paul Heidrick, Bullock's Vice President of Operations and Later President and Chairman of Bullock's North.
DeleteAlthough I now live in AZ., I often visit Orange County, CA.
ReplyDeleteThere is an Antique store in the Orange Circle on Glasel, East of the circle on the West side that carried a locally published book on Bullock's stores. They also had items with Bullock's logo. Interesting stuff. My name is Glen W. North and I was with Bullocks from 1965 to 1989 and was the Traffic Manager when I left in 1989. I left because my wife and I both worked for the DC in Industry and were concerned as to what might happen when Macy's took over. So I ended up at Robinsons-May which put me right back in Federated/Macy's in 2006. I then retired in 2007
Were you ever at Bullocks Pasadena. Trying to locate Danny a mgr possibly from Mexico where shipments came in of dresses and buyers would come in picking up what they wanted
DeleteMy father , Mahlon Arnett, was employed by Bullock's, as Chief Accountant, in 1929 just weeks before the "crash". Father considered P. G. Winnett, one of the two founders, a merchandising genius.
ReplyDeleteFather rose rapidly through the ranks It was "P.G" who gave my father instructions such as "we should buy I. Magnin's " (and he did early forties) and prompted the establishment of Bullock's Pasadena (1947) the first suburban department store in the country followed by several others in Southern California.
But , as Winnett grew elderly he became somewhat difficult and Father and other board members felt that younger merchandising talent was being diverted away by P G rather than possibly reaching the top--P G"s perch . Federated Stores made an offer that the Board accepted but then Mr. Winnett reneged on the deal. The Board disagreed and the famous proxy fight was on. Winnett lost , the federated deal went through and then that idiot from Canada started a cycle that bombed everything .
What I have never understood is how, later, a former Bullock's exec could put the name Macy's on Bullock's stores and not expect the public downgrade that has taken place . W J Arnett (jeffreyrnet@gmail.com
I really like it whenever people come together and share views.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, continue the good work!
what about the first westwood store; it opened in 1932
ReplyDeleteI sold shoes at Bullock's Northridge in 1980. Became discouraged when co-worker training me sent me to deliver night's deposit ...missing a $100.00 bill!!! Shame shame on you!
ReplyDeleteWhen did Bullock's in Santa Ana close? I know it opened in 1958, but can't find anything about when it actually closed.
ReplyDeleteI just found this fabulous site with all your wonderful memories of my beloved Bullock's. I had a twenty year career there starting in 1970. I grew up shopping at Bullock's Sherman Oaks. While attending UCLA I started my career at Bullock's Westwood. I was subsequently an Assistant Buyer in Junior Dresses. From there I became a Cosmetics Manager in Del Amo, A Division Manager in Westwood, A Cosmetics Buyer and then DMM, followed by Store Manager stints in West Covina, Thousand Oaks(opened in 1983), and Century City. By that time Bullock's had been "Macy-ized"..Bullock's was no longer the premier store that it once was and I left retail, but to this day I have wonderful memories of friends and the man I married, from my years at Bullock's!
ReplyDeleteI worked for the South Coast Plaza store 86-90 (store 18). I hear the GM, Sue Graham, is still running it after a stint in the Macy's corporate executive ranks. Bullocks also reinvented the downtown store in what was then called CitiCorp Plaza. I forgot what store number they gave it, but the corporate office was on 800 South Hope, also called "05". I met some of the buyers in there, more than once. May Co. was another anchor there. I also have family that worked at the La Habra and Lakewood stores.
ReplyDeleteAnyone out there who worked at Bullock's downtown between 1967 and 1970. I worked in the credit department and ran the mailing machine. I remember Helen Chevez, Pat Ross, Miss Dombeck, Mr. Rusic who was the manager of the Department.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember Toni Garcia, Carl Matson, Ralph Grove?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the rug department at Bullock's Pasadena? There were large low tables piled high with carpets, near the restrooms. What brands did they carry? I am guessing hand knotted, Karastan, Cabin Crafts.
ReplyDeleteMy Father in Law, Bernard P.Heidrick was a protegee of Mr. Arnett and always expressed great admiration for him. He worked closely with Mr. Arnett on the Federated Merger.
ReplyDeleteMy Father in Law, Bernard Paul. Heidrick Was President of Bullocks Northern, CA when The San Mateo Store was opened on Fashion Island. We got invited to the opening. At that time he was interviewed by Charles Karalt on CBS News. The Fiberglass tent roof was heralded as the wave of the future but did not pan out...
ReplyDeleteBullocks had a very unusual store in Palm Springs. It was opened from September to May in the early years, since Palm Springs used to go to sleep in the hot summer. Later before it closed it was open briefly year round.
ReplyDeletePlease add Grossmont Center as another Bullock's site. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grossmont_Center
ReplyDeleteIt opened in 1983 and closed in 1993. I spent MANY MANY hours in the basement 'Grand Finale' shop. All sale items were tagged in a certain color depending on the week they arrived. As the weeks progressed, each color tag was a larger percent off. Example: Red tags in week one would be 25% off original price, Red tags in week two were 50% off, week three Red tags were 75% off. If you were willing to take a chance on an item being gone, and you waited until week three, you could get fantastic bargains. My two grandboys wore tons of great clothes from the Grand Finale. I should mention - the shoes were the weirdest styles I've ever seen. I'd always check them out just for the fun of it. Great memories!
I shopped at the main place mall in santa ana it was an old store but unique a lot of history with some design in the walls. Thanks to macys all the finest stores in California are gone such as bullocks, bullocks whilshire I magnin, the broadway, j w Robinsons and may company. I really missed the services now going to macys the service is terrible. now I live in florida and I missed burdines Robinsons of florida and lord & taylor I did go to macys { burdines } to shop in the fragrance dept I was ignored for 30 minutes and I left. and I tough the great service I had at bullocks,jw Robinsons and the broadway. those where the days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this website. It's been a pleasure reading everyone's comments. I grew up shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Bullocks. I can still remember the perfume smells that permeated the store during it's prime. It was a wonderful store filled with beautiful merchandise. I also remember visiting Westwood Village in the late 70s and seeing Bullocks Westwood from a distance. I regret not stopping in to look around. There was something magical about the building with it's mid century modern form.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, you can become a member of the Friends of Bullocks Wilshire by making a donation (for as little as $50) to Southwestern Law School. The school now occupies the old Bullocks Wilshire. Each summer the school puts on "A Summer Day at Bullocks Wilshire." The event is usually held at the end of July/beginning of August and begins with a docent-led tour of the restored architectural jewel. Each of the first five tours culminates with a luncheon, and the last tour ends with high tea - all of which feature specialty items from the original Bullocks Wilshire menu and are served in the legendary Tea Room. During the tour, I learned that the aspiring actress Angela Lansbury worked as a cashier at Bullocks Wilshire in the early 1940s. Its a wonderful tour and I highly recommend becoming a supporter.
There will never be another department store as wonderful as Bullocks, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
I worked at Bullocks in Santa Ana in the early 1990s in their housewares department. I remember working through the transition when it was purchased by Macy's - we rebranded the housewares department as "The Cellar". It was a great place to work at the time. It carried high-quality housewares. We were on the 3rd floor tucked away in the corner, next to the 'decorative accessories" department that carried artists items and lamps. There was also the dining circle that had fine china, crystal, table lines, etc. What many may not know is that the Santa Ana location also had a basement! it was huge - the entire length of the store. There was a lot of storage down there and old housewares stuff. Quite the place!!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a campus representative for the Bullock's Pasadena back in the 1950's. Sadly, she has passed away so I cannot ask, but I wonder if you know anything about how one became a representative or what their responsibilities were? I remember that she told me her portrait was on the wall somewhere in the store with the other representatives. I still own a pair of earrings I purchased back in the 1970's at Bullock's Pasadena. I'm glad that Macy's has old photographs and some memorabilia out at the store.
ReplyDeleteI am looking for a guy named Mia who worked at the Palm Desert Bullocks in 1990 . He worked in the shoe department. Anyone know him?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thread! I have very fond memories of Bullock's Del Amo. I got my Customer Service feet wet at Gemco, but really saturated them at Bullock's Del Amo. I worked in Men's Furnishings and the associates provided service around the entire floor! Someone else mentioned it was a family...they're right! I worked there from 1987 thru 1990 and really saw the degradation once Macy's acquired us! Ah, I still remember my little black sales book with all my contacts! Those were the days!
ReplyDeleteI must have known you then! I worked there from 1987-1989 in two different stints. First in security + the operator/check-desk at the employee entrance. Then in men's furnishings. Had a great time working there. I was just 18-20 years old during that time. Eric Mooney.
DeleteHi, Eric!
DeleteMust have! I only worked Christmas break and summers when home from college, but I worked during the '87-'88 school year. We must be around the same age. I can picture a guy that might be you!
Cheers!
Al Dawson
hi there- im lookin for bullocks man jackets- george peppard wear them in the a team !? someone can help?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering how to read a price sticker from Bullocks Santa Ana on a set of vintage Christmas Bells. Sticker has BULLOCK'S SANTA ANA, 8650 Z , -L118-, 75C(cents) Set. Does this indicate a date? Thanks in advance for any help!
ReplyDeleteYour missing the first branch store Bullock's opened in the 1930s and that is Palm Springs.
ReplyDeleteI purchased a Lucile Bullock, pat. pending, powder pin several years ago and cannot find any information about it. It's about 7" tall. The small label says A Lucile Bullock original (pat. pending)4 oz, French milled body powder perfumed with Parisian Night, Lucile Bullock, distributor, 3823 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
ReplyDeleteI was thinking back fondly tonight about my favorite California stores; Robinsons and Buffums was two of them; Robinsons my all time favorite. It was nice to see someone else appreciates these fine stores; I have a lot of good memories shopping there with old friends back in the day. Thank you for the pleasure of finding your site and connecting with fond memories. It's so nice to know someone cares enough to remember. It means a lot.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was the advertising manager for Bullock's Downtown in the 60's -70's. She started out in the 50's as a free lance artist and did layouts; then delivered to the newspapers [Times and Herald] before press time. The department store was my babysitter with afternoon snacks at the Italian cafe in St. Vincent Court and kids' movies in the auditorium on the top floor. I knew all the buyers and moved around the store in the service elevators. I worked in gift wrapping at holidays, modeled in the tea room, and in high school worked on the order board taking newspaper and catalog orders. It was an incredible store with wonderful people working there.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently restoring a Bullock's 1934 White Delivery Van, designed by art-deco Coach Builder W. Everett Miller. It is the only such Van known to exist, and hopefully will be complete in 2023!
ReplyDeleteThe San Diego Mission Valley store had a last chance section; if memory serves it was in the basement. Stuff that hadn't sold, which is what Nordstrom Rack was originally.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI'm searching for a newspaper ad photographed by my Dad, Ken Whitmore. It features my sister and I and the copy reads; "Who has everything to make them happy about going back to school? Not even Bullock's"
I appreciate any leads.
Tony Whitmore
You could search the Los Angeles Times at newspapers.com. There is a fee, but your local library may offer it to you. You can download the image from there.
Delete-Bruce
One of my favorite family memories growing up was visiting Bullocks Wilshire, I. Magnin, Saks, etc. the day after Thanksgiving for Christmas shopping. I loved lunching in the tea room and seeing the runway models. Typically, our day would also include a visit to the Pickwick Bookstore in Hollywood and even a movie at Grauman's Chinese. Mom and Dad also bought beautiful mini-cupcake sized chocolates in Hollywood as a once-a-year treat to savor during the holiday. I also recall my parents taking me to Bullocks Wilshire for school clothes. We lived almost an hour away so any trip to this area was highly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed. Once exposed to this quality merchandise, customer service and overall environment, I later found other "nice" stores disappointing where standards had dropped so sharply. Thanks for helping to keep these memories alive!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous site. I loved shopping at Bullocks in the late 70s 1980s and until they closed. They were, I believe the only store that carried a particular skin care makeup line I loved but I cannot remember the name. It was a woman’s name and I believe an animal design was on the products. If anyone reads this and has any idea what/who I am talking about, please feel free to add the information so I can stop driving myself crazy over this trivial thing.😀. Thank you
ReplyDeleteAlways had fun going to Bullock's downtown. My mom and I went to the Bullock's Soup Bar many times. Remember riding in the elevators that actually had a real person operating them and they would call out each floor and give a brief overview of what each floor had. We would get off on the 5th floor mostly to buy me school clothes. Also walked over to Robinson's, Haggerty's department stores nearby.
ReplyDelete