tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post7960042114147456038..comments2024-03-25T16:03:25.833-04:00Comments on The Department Store Museum: Walker Scott Company, San Diego, CaliforniaBAKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00279830033473558147noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-84679030723095590822022-08-22T21:21:38.278-04:002022-08-22T21:21:38.278-04:00While in school at UCSD in the 70's I worked p...While in school at UCSD in the 70's I worked part time at the Clairemont Walker Scott.Happy I had the chance to work at an old-school department store!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-72756966576689894882022-02-15T14:15:45.558-05:002022-02-15T14:15:45.558-05:00February 15th 2022 it is very interesting reading ...February 15th 2022 it is very interesting reading about the Walker Scott store history because I am a past employee of the Walker scotch store from San Diego I worked there I enjoyed working there with at the store back in the day I often look wish the stores are still open but I know things do change and I know Time Has Changed greatly and it's sad that good quality things have got to die out because people don't recognize off till they're worthy of standing around but it is an awesome Joy to read the history of the Walker Scott family their chain if I had known they had other stores when I was working in San Diego at the Walker Scott store I perhaps would have transferred to one of the outer reaches of their stores but at that time I did not know but history is always good and I admire Georgie Scott he was always Fair and I do miss the store Rita Oliver vocalist of R&B jazz a past employee that's my stage name by the wayAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15314956685826445003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-17399228686938074492021-12-23T14:46:22.409-05:002021-12-23T14:46:22.409-05:00I worked at the La Jolla store from 1973-1974 as o...I worked at the La Jolla store from 1973-1974 as one of the maintenance personnel. Fond memories of Walker Scott and George Scott who treated his employees as family. He used to visit the store 2-3 times a month, if my memory serves me right. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01893616327584679885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-23162763640124990702021-10-25T19:16:28.319-04:002021-10-25T19:16:28.319-04:00Tara, Walker Scott Escondido was one of the better...Tara, Walker Scott Escondido was one of the better and higher volume Walker Scott Stores from among the 12 between 1970 and 1977. In the mid 1970's Escondido was usually the second highest volume Walker Scott with only College Grove exceeding it. As a merchandise coordinator and later a Buyer, Escondido was one of my favorites. Henry Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08302746253060869470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-25575929570880533092021-10-25T15:05:10.195-04:002021-10-25T15:05:10.195-04:00Took my 5 yr. old twins to see Santa Claus at Walk...Took my 5 yr. old twins to see Santa Claus at Walker Scott in 1976 π.Ramsey Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664448269524351178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-64865349151155084882021-10-25T13:36:18.642-04:002021-10-25T13:36:18.642-04:00I was wondering if someone else would mention the ...I was wondering if someone else would mention the WS in Escondido. I grew up on Beverly Way off of North Ash st. And I have Many Memories of Escondido Village Mall and WS . My first memory of WS is my mom and I buying all My β BROWNIE β Girl Scout uniforms and accessories there.. I was 15 when they closed the store.Tarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351698898809737028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-41420929479529032262021-08-11T00:26:39.080-04:002021-08-11T00:26:39.080-04:00My grandparents also lived at the foothills of Mt....My grandparents also lived at the foothills of Mt. Helix in Spring Valley with a south facing view. It had a beautiful view of Mt. Miguel. My grandmother worked at Walker Scott as a model of fashions for the older woman.Chris Miasniknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-53511147793916492792021-07-23T00:11:53.851-04:002021-07-23T00:11:53.851-04:00Fond December, 1964 memories of Walker-Scott, Esco...Fond December, 1964 memories of Walker-Scott, Escondido Village shopping center. Took my 3.5 yr. old twins to see Santa Claus π for the first time in their lives. Great timeβ£Ramsey Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664448269524351178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-29810137914204815342021-01-28T16:53:36.745-05:002021-01-28T16:53:36.745-05:00I worked at College Grove and then transferred to ...I worked at College Grove and then transferred to Ocean Beach "twig Store." It was called the twig because it was so tiny that it couldn't be called a "branch!" I loved working for Walker Scott. It was my first job out of high school and lasted 71/2 years until I moved to Northern California.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09244321069643065866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-4998340159627581792021-01-10T16:04:31.180-05:002021-01-10T16:04:31.180-05:00Hi - I also worked in the Linda Vista store (which...Hi - I also worked in the Linda Vista store (which was the Linda Vista Department store before being bought out by Walker Scott). I worked in women's lingerie department. Remember before I was old enough to work and was in jr. high walking through the store and buying either an Ideals book, or a Beatles' record on my way home from school...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17245199903508158187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-45044888239870518282021-01-10T15:59:33.945-05:002021-01-10T15:59:33.945-05:00Hi. I don't know if you're still paying a...Hi. I don't know if you're still paying any attention to this post, but my mom worked at the Service Center - after years in the "marking room" in Whitney's downtown store, and then the Clairemont Walker Scott store, where I also worked for a while. I definitely remember Mr. Bandish...at the service center my mom mainly marked cosmetics, and I remember the samples she would bring home for my sister and me....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17245199903508158187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-396827357598659242020-12-14T11:04:10.649-05:002020-12-14T11:04:10.649-05:00The coins were somewhat similar to gift cards we s...The coins were somewhat similar to gift cards we see today. Purchased and used as Walker Scott currency. I have a $5.00 coin which was purchased on eBay long after the Walker Scott organization had shut down. Today's value like so many other things is what someone else is willing to pay. As time marches forward I think the value would diminish because fewer people are around who remember the Walker Scott stores. There are some category collectors who may be interested. Likely the best way to find them is eBay or other online auction. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-29323825700716397112020-12-13T19:21:25.039-05:002020-12-13T19:21:25.039-05:00I have a large stack Walker Scott gift coins, I wa...I have a large stack Walker Scott gift coins, I was hoping to get some information on how they were used, and if they hold any value today. Great job on all your information you passed on! Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06768790220849084142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-39514389124578849842020-11-03T12:56:31.462-05:002020-11-03T12:56:31.462-05:00Just curious if anyone remembers a Josefina Zuniga...Just curious if anyone remembers a Josefina Zuniga as a young employee, who spoke fluent Spanish and catered to the Mexican customers from TJ. I believe she worked there in the 50s. She loved to dress up and loved her mink coats. She passed away in 1989 and was a "Legend" in Baja for establishing Rancho Santa Ines that still exists today. If anyone has info, they can contact me. Thank you! Mike Bennett mlbennett@sbcglobal.netAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15839413260363571932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-68876378259949973002020-09-22T02:06:45.983-04:002020-09-22T02:06:45.983-04:00Your uncle must be Mr. Bragg, the mens' depart...Your uncle must be Mr. Bragg, the mens' department manager. I worked there from 1977-1980. What a great experience that job was for a high school student like me. I started at the Clairemont Square store, saved money to pay for college, bought things on the layaway plan, and shared my employee discount with my sisters to buy school clothes. Sylvia Sweigart was the store manager then. It was like a second family there. Priscilla Simms was mentioned in someone else's post--She also managed the WS employee credit union from the basement of the College Grove store. I was able to buy a car with a loan through that credit union. So many memories! It was a nurturing place to work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-40595766706614090462020-02-14T16:02:11.945-05:002020-02-14T16:02:11.945-05:00I remember going to the Downtown store and being a...I remember going to the Downtown store and being amazed at how pretty it was inside. It was very exciting for me, being around 5 years old. There were escalators down to the Charl-Mont Restaurant where my Mother, Grandmother, Brother and I would go for sodas! The elevators were VERY special, as they had an elevator operator. I seem to recall he would operate it with a lever on a panel. Distant memories at my age!Sicilianboy1https://www.blogger.com/profile/07866139620893064147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-49205734463873068002019-07-21T12:14:53.911-04:002019-07-21T12:14:53.911-04:00Dear Sandra, If you were working in the Linda Vist...Dear Sandra, If you were working in the Linda Vista store during 1966-1968, you certainly waited on my mother, aunt, and grandmother. I was probably with them. Although I was not a fan of shopping, I did enjoy going to Walker-Scott, and my mother, aunt, and grandmother were there every weekend. Thank you for your years of customer service.<br />Marlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07959711599354072060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-14845364927206247792019-07-21T12:10:00.197-04:002019-07-21T12:10:00.197-04:00Bob, Did you know that you can still buy Maja soap...Bob, Did you know that you can still buy Maja soap? The Vermont Country Store specializes in items "from days gone by." Here is a link to their online shopping. https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/maja-soap-3-bars/product/47174?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid%20search&utm_campaign=pla&sourceid=7SPFGPLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkvyg3LLG4wIVQdbACh1zPQHuEAQYBCABEgLOcfD_BwE<br />Marlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07959711599354072060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-84505322500602150062019-05-20T15:39:16.225-04:002019-05-20T15:39:16.225-04:00My very first job was at Walker Scott Dept store d...My very first job was at Walker Scott Dept store downtown San Diego. It was the summer of 1969 and I just became eligible for my Social Security card so I could work for a real company during the summers. I was in the gift wrapping dept. It was so much fun and I learned a lot about being a responsible employee. The TV show Mr.Selfridge on PBS reminds me of my time working in the downtown store of Walker Scott. It was a wonderful place to work.Pamela G.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-9287771143171272062019-03-02T20:39:04.560-05:002019-03-02T20:39:04.560-05:00I was born in September 24,1958 in SanDiego. My mo...I was born in September 24,1958 in SanDiego. My mother and used to shop at Walker Scott's. I bought my prom grown from the Walker Scott's in college grove. I miss all these days and the stores back then.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14624245254985612362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-48716806996331611672018-12-26T11:12:39.426-05:002018-12-26T11:12:39.426-05:00The Walker Scott "City" Store in Orange ...The Walker Scott "City" Store in Orange was two floors, and approximately 125,000 square feet combined. It opened on October 3, 1970 which was thirty five years to the day and hour after the main flagship store at Fifth & Broadway in Downtown San Diego opened. That was very important to Mr. Scott who was still Chairman, President and CEO at the time. <br /><br />May Company did purchase the lease on the Walker Scott City Store after it was closed in 1973 or 1974. This was a smaller May Company than most, if not all the others in the area. <br /><br />Like Walker Scott, May Company was not successful in the City Shopping Center. Even with the built in name recognition of May Company, the open air mall and perimeter parking was not popular with shoppers. Additionally, The City mix of stores was constantly changing so no one else hardly found success there either. J.C.Penny was among the first to open at The City, and had one of the longest periods of endurance. <br /><br />Walker Scott began partitioning off second floor square footage within a year of opening. Department locations were shuffled and staffing reduced to correspond with the declining volume. Many of the store management and department heads who had relocated from San Diego began to transfer back to more familiar territory. <br /><br />Mr. Scott's drive to expand Walker Scott north into some of the old "Walker's" turf was a terminal mistake for the company. Throughout Mr. Scott's tenure on top of the organization (1935 - early/mid 1970's), he was steadfast in his desire not to compete with other department stores in major regional malls. <br /><br />The decision to invest the company's future in The City Shopping Center location destroyed the company's profitability going into the future, leaving a hole so deep with ongoing obligations even after The City closed that Walker Scott did not recover under his leadership. <br /><br />Subsequent investors who took control of the company in the mid-1970's attempted to reposition the company similar to a "Mervyn's" but eventually the Northern California retail investors sold Walker Scott to a liquidator who did just that. <br /><br />Walker Scott did acquire Whitney's picking up stores in Clairement Square, El Cajon and some other locations. Even after The City debacle, Walker Scott opened new 60,000 square foot stores in Mira Mesa, a new Clairemont Square location, added San Carlos, expanded Lomas Santa Fe, purchased Hafter Heilborn in MIssion Valley, opened a Walker Scott Oceanside in a former Kresge location, and added a few others after that. <br /><br />However, by that time, the earlier decision embraced for decades under Mr. Scott's determination to be a dominate player in local shopping areas ,while avoiding major regional malls, left Walker Scott without much opportunity. <br />Henry Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08302746253060869470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-27542731001003772892018-09-09T15:43:50.931-04:002018-09-09T15:43:50.931-04:00I did my residency at UCI Medical Center during 19...I did my residency at UCI Medical Center during 1982-85, across the street from The City shopping mall in Orange. The former Walker Scott store was a MayCo, rather small and if I recall only single story (not two or three stories like most MayCo stores). The City was razed in the late 1990s to build The Block At Orange, mostly outlet stores with an outdoor design (no air conditioned inside galleries)<br /><br />If I recall correctly, WS acquired the Whitney's dept store chain. The Clairemont Square store was originally a Whitney's (when we lived nearby 1958-61) and (after we moved to Point Loma) it changed to a WS sometime in the mid-1960s.<br />passatdochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00513861097856381384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-78463845247996596552018-04-30T17:18:31.781-04:002018-04-30T17:18:31.781-04:00I was hired at Walker Scott in Oct 1978 by the VP ...I was hired at Walker Scott in Oct 1978 by the VP of marketing (Mr Villavacincio) to be a Merchandise Coordinator. I worked at the headquarters on Sherman St. I assisted a company buyer named David Dominguez. My starting salary was $800<br />.00/Mo. I believe there were 12 stores at that time. I was also an assistant buyer and filled in for Bob Lipe (housewares buyer) when he passed away in a sand buggie accident in 1979. The buyers worked in small cubicals which were just completed by Oct 78. The two buyers next my cubical were Perry Roth and Mr Anderson. Alice Payne and Jean were the Head Coordinators for all departments. These ladies knew the ins and outs of everything in the company, especially Alice. I had several conversations with Berry Knudson. I really liked him; he was so sincere about living life. ther He reminded me of my grandfather. I worked at Walker Scott until January 1980 because of my appointment to OTS for the Air Force. I looked in my scrap book and did find photos I took at headquarters in 1979. David, Perry, Art, Alice and Jean are in the photos taken in there work place. Thank you for the memories. Stephen C. Ricks.<br />Stephen Ricksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-34487437314911833592017-12-28T17:36:50.337-05:002017-12-28T17:36:50.337-05:00My mom and I used to shop at the College Grove sto...My mom and I used to shop at the College Grove store when I was young. They had a candy counter there, and had the most delicious "signature" chocolate candy with nuts in it. I have been wracking my brain trying to remember the name of it. I think it started with an "A", but just can't remember the rest. Does anyone remember this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-49331947077256093592017-12-10T21:58:03.462-05:002017-12-10T21:58:03.462-05:00My Uncle worked at the Walker Scott in San Carlos....My Uncle worked at the Walker Scott in San Carlos. I still have an aluminum poster by Hagar that hung in the store.Jillnoreply@blogger.com