Buffums

Buffums
Company type	Private
Industry	Retail (department store)
Founded	1904
Founder	Charles Abel Buffum, Edwin Buffum, S. Townsend, W. L. Porterneld, C. J. Walter
Defunct	1990
Fate	Liquidated
Headquarters	Long Beach, California, United States
Area served	Southern California
Products	Clothing, footwear, home furnishings, sportswear, accessories
Owner	Adelaide Steamship Company (at time of closure)
Parent	David Jones (1970s–1980s)

Buffums, initially known as Buffums', was a high-end department store chain based in Long Beach, California. Established in 1904 by Illinois natives Charles and Edwin Buffum alongside several partners, they purchased the dry goods retailer Schilling Bros. and rebranded it as The Mercantile Co.. The flagship location developed into a distinguished downtown department store, eventually growing into a regional chain comprising 16 specialty outlets throughout Southern California before closing in 1990.^[1]

Referred to as the "Grand Dame" among local department stores, Buffums distinguished itself through elegant interiors adorned with grand chandeliers, offering a sophisticated shopping atmosphere. Operating under the name "Buffums Specialty Store," it contended with regional competitors such as The Broadway and Bullock's, as well as national chains like May Co. and Robinson's. Its memorable promotional efforts featured the tagline "I've been to Buffums" alongside the "Bag-A-Bargain" campaign, which circulated discount coupons via printed shopping bags included in newspapers.

Confronted with evolving consumer trends and rising competition from retailers like Seattle-based Nordstrom, Buffums was acquired during the 1970s by the Australian department store chain David Jones. Ownership subsequently passed to the Australian conglomerate Adelaide Steamship Company, which attempted but failed to sell the business during the 1980s. In a final effort to modernize, Buffums introduced IBM POS technology and an IBM AS/400 midrange computer system in 1990; however, it ultimately liquidated following the holiday season that year.

Flagship

The flagship downtown Buffums store underwent considerable transformation over time:^[2]

Originally founded as Wm. Schilling & Sons, this dry goods retailer opened its doors in 1892 at the intersection of 2nd and Pine in Long Beach. By 1902, it had expanded into a spacious 6,250 square feet (581 m²) department store featuring dress fabrics, home furnishings, apparel, footwear, and additional merchandise. Upon William Schilling’s retirement that year, the company was renamed Schilling Bros..^[3]

In 1904, Charles Abel Buffum and Edwin Buffum partnered with local entrepreneurs S. Townsend, W. L. Porterneld, and C. J. Walter to acquire Schilling Bros. for $65,000 (~$Template:Format price). They established The Mercantile Co., with the original Schilling Bros. location at 127–129 Pine Avenue becoming the men's shoe section within what would become the Buffums flagship.^[2]

By 1912, the original building was replaced by a three-story structure at Pine and Broadway. Significant expansions included:

1924: Opening of a new six-story building completed in phases.
1941: Erection of an "Autoport" parking garage.
1960: Introduction of Varsity Shop and Red Cross Shoe Store alongside a four-level parking garage.
1964: Enlargement by 14,000 sq ft to occupy the entire Broadway block between Pine and Pacific avenues, incorporating Interior Design, Home Furnishings, and a Sportsman's Shop.^[4]

Within downtown Long Beach, Buffums faced competition from local retailers including Marti and Wise Cos., as well as national chains Sears and Ward’s which expanded their presence during 1928-29.^[5] The rise of suburban shopping centers like Lakewood Center in the 1950s introduced further rivalry from May Company California and The Broadway.

The flagship property was sold in 1981 and subsequently demolished in 1985 to make room for office developments; by 2020 this site housed tenants such as WeWork.^[6] Upon opening of Long Beach Plaza mall in 1982 nearby, Buffums shifted its Long Beach retail operations and corporate headquarters there.^[7]

Branches

At the time of its liquidation, Buffums maintained 16 stores, predominantly situated in Southern California. Notable locations included:

La Mesa Grossmont Center 1979 1991 Added as a third anchor store; subsequently became Oshman's and Sports Authority. Manhattan Beach Manhattan Village 1980 1991 Converted into Macy's Men and Home Store; currently houses Urban Outfitters and other retailers. Downtown Long Beach Long Beach Plaza 1982 1991 Succeeded the original flagship location. La Cañada Flintridge Plaza de la Cañada 1986 1991 Formerly an Iver's store rebranded as Buffums; currently occupied by TJ Maxx. Palm Springs Palm Springs Mall 1989 1991 Originally opened as Walker Scott (1970), rebranded Buffums in 1989; now serves as the College of the Desert campus. Solana Beach Lomas Santa Fe Plaza 1989 1991 Previously a Walker Scott site; later became Ross Dress for Less and HomeGoods.

City/community	Mall or street	Square feet	Opened	Closed	Notes
Long Beach flagship	Fourth/Pine	180,000	1912	1982	The flagship store underwent multiple expansions over several decades; it shuttered in 1982 and was succeeded by the Long Beach Plaza location. The original building was demolished in 1985.
Santa Ana	Main/Bush/9th/10th	66,170	1950	1987	Buffums’ first branch beyond Long Beach; a standalone building designed by Wurdeman & Becket. A dedicated men’s store was added in 1963. Currently utilized by Orange County government agencies.
Marina district, Long Beach	E. 2nd St. at PCH	17,000	1961	1976	This Marina Sportswear boutique targeted mid-to-upper tier sports apparel; it featured nautical-themed interior design and boat parking. Closed upon opening of a larger nearby store.
Pomona	Pomona Mall East	144,000	1962	1991	Situated on Pomona’s pedestrian mall; housed murals by Millard Sheets illustrating early Spanish colonization.
Palos Verdes Peninsula	Peninsula Center	43,000	1963	1991
Lakewood	Lakewood Center	73,000	1965	1991
Newport Beach	Fashion Island	54,000	1967	1991	Opened concurrently with the mall; designed by Welton Becket and Associates. Space was subdivided after closure.
La Habra	La Habra Fashion Square	120,000	1968		Featured furnishings and chandeliers created by designer Tony Duquette.
San Diego	Fashion Valley	80,000	1969	1991	Subsequently occupied by I. Magnin, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Forever 21.
Laguna Hills	Laguna Hills Mall	50,000	1973	1991
Arcadia	Santa Anita Fashion Park		1974	1991	Launched alongside the mall; later demolished and replaced by Nordstrom in 1994.
Westminster	Westminster Mall	90,000	1975	1991	Transformed into Robinsons-May Home Store; eventually demolished to make way for Macy's and currently Target.
Marina Pacifica, Long Beach	Marina Pacifica Mall	39,000	1976	1991	"World's First Shopping Resort" concept; part of a 108-store complex.
Glendale	Glendale Galleria 90,000 1976 1990 Opened simultaneously with The Broadway; later replaced by Robinsons-May and Target.

This collection of stores exemplified Buffums’ strategy to target upscale clientele within Southern California’s shopping centers and downtown locations until its early 1990s shutdown.

Relaunch

In January 2015, a group of investors from California filed the registration for Buffums' Stores, LLC with the California Secretary of State. By October 2015, the brand was revived with a modest specialty outlet located in Long Beach's Belmont Shore area. Nevertheless, this revival was short-lived; the original owners moved their operations to Naples, Florida, launching under the name The b.Store and shutting down the Belmont Shore location by March 2016. This transition marked a deliberate change in both the business approach and target market.

Flagship

Branches

Relaunch

See also