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Bullock's

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Bullocks
Founded1907; 119 years ago (1907)
FounderJohn G. Bullock
DefunctTemplate:End date and age
FateMerged into Macy's
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
US
Areas served
Southern California, Phoenix, Las Vegas
Parent

Bullock's was a comprehensive department store chain operating from 1907 until 1995, with its headquarters in Los Angeles. The company expanded to serve markets in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Additionally, Bullock's ran up to seven upscale specialty stores under the name Bullocks Wilshire throughout Southern California. Numerous former Bullock's outlets continue to function today under the Macy's brand.

History

File:Broadway at Night, Los Angeles, Cal. (pcard-print-pub-pc-61a).jpg
Postcard showing Broadway circa 1908, featuring the original store
File:Bullock's logo on bridge across St. Vincent Court, 2019-3.jpg
Bullock's emblem displayed on a bridge over St. Vincent Court, 2019

The origins of Bullock's trace back to 1907 when John G. Bullock established the business at the intersection of Seventh and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, supported by Arthur Letts, proprietor of The Broadway Department Store. Following Letts' passing in 1923, Bullock and his partner P.G. Winnett purchased Letts' shares, thereby fully separating the two companies. In 1929, Bullock & Winnett inaugurated a luxury branch on Wilshire Boulevard, initially called Bullock's Wilshire—later dropping the apostrophe.

In 1944, Bullock's expanded by acquiring I. Magnin & Co., a prestigious specialty retailer based in San Francisco.

Beginning in 1958, Bullock's developed a series of four shopping centers branded as Bullock's Fashion Square. These centers were modest in size yet elegant, designed as open-air plazas dominated by large Bullock's stores alongside approximately 20 to 30 smaller specialty retailers such as I. Magnin, Desmond's, Mandel's, and Silverwoods. For instance, Bullock's Santa Ana location encompassed about 340,000 square feet (32,000 m2), while the combined space for other retailers was approximately 238,000 square feet (22,100 m2). The first of these centers opened in Santa Ana in 1958, followed by one in the San Fernando Valley (later known as "Sherman Oaks Fashion Square") in 1962; another in Torrance (later called "Del Amo Fashion Square") debuted in September 1966; and finally, the La Habra center opened in April 1968, notable for including a branch of Buffum's from its inception.[1]

File:Bullocks Wilshire Department Store Final Logo.png
Final logo of Bullocks Wilshire

In 1964, the publicly traded Bullock's/I. Magnin group was acquired by Federated Department Stores, a move that founder P.G. Winnett openly criticized despite it being orchestrated by his son-in-law Walter W. Candy Jr., then president of Bullock’s. During the 1970s, to distinguish it from the mainline stores, the exclusive Wilshire location removed its apostrophe and rebranded as Bullocks Wilshire, embarking on its own growth trajectory.

In February 1970, Federated replaced Bullock’s Realty Corporation—which managed the Fashion Square malls—with a new entity named Transwest Management;[2] shortly thereafter, Transwest sold the Torrance Fashion Square (future "Del Amo") to co-owners Great Lakes and Guilford Glazer and Associates.[3] The remaining three Fashion Squares were sold for $13 million to Urban Investment and Development Company (UIDC), which then sold them in 1973 to Bank of America Realty Investor and Draper and Kramer for $16.3 million.[1]

File:Bullock's Former Dept Store logo.jpg
Bullock's logo circa 1980–1985

Under Federated’s ownership, Bullock’s along with Bullocks Wilshire and I. Magnin maintained operational independence while continuing to serve their upscale clientele. I. Magnin expanded into the Chicago and Washington D.C. regions; meanwhile, Bullock’s launched stores in Phoenix,[4][5] Las Vegas,[6] and Northern California.[7][8] However, in 1983 Federated closed its Bullock’s North division,[9][10][11] selling most locations to Seattle-based retailer Nordstrom.

Following a contentious takeover battle between Robert Campeau and Macy’s over Federated in 1988, Campeau sold Bullock’s and I. Magnin to Macy’s for $1 billion as part of a settlement,[12] which significantly increased Macy’s debt burden. Subsequently, Macy’s dismantled Bullock’s Los Angeles corporate headquarters,[13][14] merged Bullocks Wilshire into I. Magnin, and incorporated Bullock’s into its Macy’s South division—actions that led to a sharp decline in performance and customer alienation.

The demise of Bullock’s accelerated after Macy’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1992,[15] with the Bullocks Wilshire stores rebranded as I. Magnin two years earlier.[16] Underperforming locations from both I. Magnin and Bullock’s were shuttered,[17] and I. Magnin itself was dissolved by January 1995,[18][19] coinciding with Federated Department Stores’ reacquisition of Macy’s.[20] By 1996—after acquiring Broadway Stores Inc.—Federated unified all its traditional department-store operations in California under the Macy’s banner, bringing an end to nearly nine decades of the Bullock’s brand.[21]

Luxury market

While the Bullocks Wilshire locations were recognized as the most prestigious, the full-line Bullock's outlets featured high-end designers such as Giorgio Armani, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Missoni, Krizia, Stephen Sprouse, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Byblos, Hugo Boss, Gieves & Hawkes, and Robert Graham. Under Federated's management, the 22 Bullock's stores maintained uniform product selections across all sites, a crucial factor contributing to the company's profitability and achievements (except for the Lakewood, West Covina, Carlsbad, and Grossmont branches in California). Supervised by Macy's South headquarters in Atlanta, these 22 stores were organized into three competitive regions with merchant offices located in Santa Ana, Sherman Oaks, and at the existing 800 South Hope Street building, though these offices had very limited authority. Facing significant debt, national economic challenges, and customer dissatisfaction due to rapid and often reactive alterations to the Bullock's brand, Macy's concentrated efforts on South Coast Plaza, Sherman Oaks, and Beverly Center to maintain a high-end customer base.

Store list

This list includes only full-line Bullock's division stores. Note: "Closing" indicates the date when the store ceased operations as either Bullock's or Macy's.

Bullocks Wilshire

Main article: Bullocks Wilshire

Bullocks Wilshire stood as a key segment of Bullock's, Inc. until Macy's merged it into I. Magnin in 1989. Its origins date back to 1929 with the launch of a single upscale Bullock's branch.<ref name=lat-1929sep26> In 1968, the Bullock's location in Palm Springs, originally constructed in 1947, was reassigned under Bullocks Wilshire, becoming its inaugural branch.<ref name=wwd-1968feb23> By 1972, Bullocks Wilshire had been established as an independent division, complete with its own president, chairman, buyers, and personnel. Walter Bergquist, previously president of Bullock's, was appointed as the first president of this division.<ref name=wwd-1972feb02>

I. Magnin

Main article: I. Magnin

The I. Magnin division became part of Bullock's in 1944,<ref name=lat-1944jul15> maintaining operational independence from Bullock's and its other divisions. Many I. Magnin locations were situated near Bullock's flagship stores and served as complementary outlets, leading Bullock's to strategically position I. Magnin branches in three out of the four Fashion Square malls it developed—alongside other non-Bullock's retailers such as Desmond's and Silverwoods. This division persisted until 1994 when Macy's discontinued the I. Magnin brand, transforming some stores into Macy's outlets, selling others to Saks Fifth Avenue, and closing the remainder.

Bullock's North

During the early 1970s, Federated Department Stores sought to establish a presence in the San Francisco Bay Area, a market previously untapped by the company and dominated by Macy's and Broadway-Hale outlets. To enter this competitive region, Federated launched a new division named Bullock's North, a brand that carried some recognition in Northern California but remained distinct from its Southern California counterpart. This division reported directly to Federated and was intended to build its own identity.

The inaugural Bullock's North location debuted in March 1972 at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, featuring two floors encompassing 150,000 square feet. This store also served as the division’s initial headquarters. Following this, Bullock's North expanded with a second store opening in downtown Walnut Creek in 1974. This three-story facility covered 180,000 square feet and was situated at the intersection of South Broadway and Mt. Diablo Boulevard within the Broadway shopping center. The third store was introduced in 1975 at the Vallco Fashion Park in Cupertino, also spanning 180,000 square feet.

Plans were made to launch a fourth location in Marin County; however, despite acquiring land and obtaining approval from the Corte Madera City Council, strong opposition from local residents led to a recall election. The council members who had supported the store’s construction were removed from office, effectively halting the project.

In 1977, Bullock's North opened its fourth store within San Francisco's Stonestown shopping center. This branch occupied approximately 172,000 square feet and replaced the former City of Paris site with a multi-level parking structure adjacent to it. The following year, a fifth store was inaugurated at Oakridge Mall in San Jose. The division’s sixth and final store opened in 1982 at Fashion Island Mall in San Mateo. Notably, this store featured an unconventional tent-like polyurethane roof instead of a traditional structure.

The unique roofing design may have contributed to difficulties in selling this particular location when Federated decided to divest from Bullock's North. In 1983, Federated announced plans to liquidate the division. Five of the six stores were sold off: Nordstrom acquired three locations (Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, and Oakridge), while Emporium-Capwell purchased the Vallco store and Mervyn's negotiated for the Stonestown branch. The Fashion Island store in San Mateo remained unsold due to its experimental design and was closed once its lease expired.

Ultimately, Federated discontinued the Bullock's North division quietly after these sales and shuttered the San Mateo location without much public attention.

Bullock's Woman

During the late 1980s, Federated identified a gap in the market: many young, affluent women seeking fashionable designer apparel in plus sizes had limited options, with few retailers addressing this demographic besides Lane Bryant. To explore this opportunity, Federated launched a dedicated boutique named Bullock's Woman in March 1987. This initial store opened within a high-end Las Vegas mall that already housed a full-service Bullock's department store.[22] The 3,000-square-foot boutique targeted sizes 14 to 24 and featured dresses, sportswear, and a curated selection of accessories, intimate wear, and hosiery.[23] This initiative marked Federated’s first specialty store spin-off since Bullocks Wilshire debuted in 1929.

Following several months of operation, the success of the Las Vegas location encouraged Federated to expand the concept. In September 1987, additional Bullock's Woman stores were inaugurated at malls hosting Bullock's or Bullocks Wilshire outlets, specifically in Palm Desert and Woodland Hills.[24][25]

By 1992, the chain had further extended its presence with new stores opening in Burbank,[26] Century City,[27] and Santa Ana.[27] However, when the Bullock's and Broadway brands were phased out in favor of Macy's in 1996, this transition resulted in surplus retail space within the same malls where standalone Bullock's Woman stores operated. Consequently, these specialty boutiques were consolidated into their nearest Macy's locations and rebranded as the Macy's Woman departments, continuing to focus on designer plus-size apparel for women.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto
  2. ↑ "New division will advise retailers", Los Angeles Times, February 15, 1970 p.151.
  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1975feb23
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1977mar20
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1981feb13
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1971jan20
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named wsj-1971jan20
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nyt-1983jul21
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1983jul21
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named wwd-1983jul21
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1988apr02
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1988apr22
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1988nov12
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1992jan28
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1989oct05
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1993mar02
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1994nov19-1
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1994nov19-2
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1994dec09
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1995oct13
  22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1987mar06
  23. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named wwd-1987mar05
  24. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1987sep13
  25. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named wwd-1987sep09
  26. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat-1992jul26
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ladn-1992nov05

Further reading

Template:Macy's history Template:History of Retail in Southern California

No. Name Address/Mall Opened
(M/D/YYYY) 		Closed*
(M/D/YYYY) 		Building
Current Use 		Notes
01 Downtown / Bullock's complex Intersection of Broadway, 7th, and Hill Street, Downtown Los Angeles (standalone) 3/4/1907 6/26/1983 St. Vincent Jewelry Center
  • 1907: Initial facility encompassed approximately 350,000 square feet (33,000 m2) at 641 S. Broadway.

Subsequent expansions included:

  • 1912: A 10-story brick and concrete building designed by Morgan & Walls featuring a brick and terra cotta facade similar to the original structure; located immediately north at 639 S. Broadway.
  • 1917 and 1919: Expanded to 460,000 sq. ft.
  • 1923-1928: Added 400,000 sq. ft. through three extensions and acquisition of two adjacent properties.
  • 1934: Constructed Store for Men on Hill Street with a connecting bridge over Saint Vincent's Court; marked the last major expansion.

Facility measured 806,000 square feet (74,900 m2) at closure.

Wilshire 3050 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles (standalone) 9/24/1929 4/13/1993 (as BW flagship) Southwestern Law School Transitioned to "Bullocks Wilshire" as a separate division around 1972 before being rebranded as I. Magnin along with other BW locations.
Palm Springs
Resort Store 		November 1930 Demolished to construct the Desert Fashion Plaza, which itself was razed in 2013. This Spanish Colonial-style "resort store" was situated within the Desert Inn complex and was succeeded by a full Bullock's branch in 1947.
Westwood Collegienne 1002 Westwood Boulevard 5/14/1932 Replaced by full-line store in 1951 Vacant (formerly Sur La Table) Specialized "Collegienne" store built in Spanish Colonial style by Parkinson & Parkinson and developed by Janss Investment Company. Construction costs reported between $150,000 and $185,000.
03 Pasadena 402 South Lake Avenue (standalone) 9/19/1947 - Macy's Designed by architects Wurdeman & Becket
Palm Springs (full branch) 151 South Palm Canyon Drive 10/18/1947 Demolished to make way for The Mercado shopping center and a new Saks Fifth Avenue store. Modernist architectural style; replaced the earlier Desert Inn resort shop; became a Bullocks Wilshire branch in the 1960s; architects were Wurdeman & Becket.
04 Westwood 10861 Weyburn (southeast corner of Westwood and Weyburn), Los Angeles (standalone) 9/5/1951 Target Stores Replaced the "Westwood Collegienne" location; designed by architect Welton Becket. Operated as Macy's from 1996 until 1999.
07 Santa Ana Santa Ana Fashion Square 9/17/1958 - Macy's The inaugural location among four Bullock's Fashion Square centers; designed by architects Pereira & Luckman. The mall underwent extensive development and is currently known as MainPlace.
09 San Fernando Valley / Sherman Oaks Sherman Oaks Fashion Square 4/30/1962
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