Diamond's
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (department store) |
| Predecessor | The Boston Store |
| Founded | 1897 in Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Founder | Nathan Diamond, Isaac Diamond |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Fate | Acquired by Dillard's |
| Headquarters | Phoenix , United States |
Area served | Southwestern United States (Arizona, Nevada) |
Key people | Nathan Diamond, Isaac Diamond, Harold Diamond, Bert Diamond, Herbert Diamond, Ralph Diamond |
| Products | Department store goods |
| Parent | Dayton Corporation (from 1968), Dayton-Hudson Corporation (later) |
Diamond's was a department store chain headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, operating from 1897 until 1984. The business was founded by brothers Nathan and Isaac Diamond and initially known as The Boston Store.
History
In 1897, Jewish immigrant brothers Nathan and Isaac Diamond launched The Boston Store after beginning a dry goods venture in El Paso in 1891. Identifying growth opportunities in Arizona, they moved to Phoenix and established their retail outlet on Washington Street. By 1941, the enterprise was managed by family members including Nathan's sons Harold and Bert, along with Isaac's son Herbert. To commemorate its 50th year in operation, the store was renamed Diamond's in 1947. Ownership subsequently transitioned to Harold and Ralph Diamond.
Roberts Brothers, a company based in Portland, acquired Diamond's in 1957, inaugurating the first branch at Park Central Mall while closing the original Washington Street store. Although expansion into Tucson was contemplated in 1962, it did not materialize until 1974. In 1968, Dayton Corporation from Minneapolis took ownership of Diamond's. Two years later, the chain purchased Las Vegas's Ronzone's and transformed its The Boulevard Mall location into a Diamond's store.
The Tri-City Mall location in Mesa was closed in January 1984 due to its close proximity to a newer store at Fiesta Mall. At that time, Diamond's operated twelve stores throughout the Southwestern United States. Later that year, in September 1984, Dayton-Hudson Corporation sold the chain to Dillard's.
Locations
Diamond's maintained various flagship and mall outlets predominantly across Arizona and Nevada.
| Mall | Location | Opened | Subsequent use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Central Mall | Phoenix, AZ | August 25, 1957 | Converted into Dillard's; currently used as medical offices |
| Thomas Mall | Phoenix, AZ | September 23, 1963 | Transitioned to Dillard's; later demolished |
| Tri-City Mall | Mesa, AZ | August 7, 1969 | Closed in 1984; subsequently demolished |
| The Boulevard Mall | Las Vegas, NV | Opened as Ronzone's in 1968; became Diamond's in 1970 | Converted to Dillard's |
| Metrocenter Mall | Phoenix, AZ | October 1, 1973 | Became Dillard's then Clearance store; currently vacant |
| Scottsdale Fashion Square | Scottsdale, AZ | Spring 1974 | Changed to Dillard's then Sears; presently Macy's |
| Park Place Mall | Tucson, AZ | August 5, 1974 | Converted into Dillard's; later demolished and replaced with new Dillard's location |
| Meadows Mall | Las Vegas, NV | 1978 | Became Dillard's with upper level Clearance and lower level Curacao |
| Paradise Valley Mall | Phoenix, AZ | February 1, 1979 | Converted to Dillard's then Sears; eventually demolished |
| Fiesta Mall | Mesa, AZ | July 4, 1980 | Transitioned to Dillard's then Clearance; later demolished |
| Fashion Show Mall | Las Vegas, NV | February 14, 1981 | Converted to Dillard's; currently occupied by Forever 21 |
| Tucson Mall | Tucson, AZ | July 30, 1981 | Now operates as Dillard's |
| Desert Sky Mall | Phoenix, AZ | December 1981 | Converted to Dillard's Clearance store |