Marston's (department store)
| Company type | Department store |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Founder | George Marston |
| Defunct | 1961 |
| Fate | Acquired by The Broadway |
| Headquarters | San Diego, California , United States |
Area served | San Diego, California and suburbs |
| Products | Clothing, dry goods, home furnishings |
Marston's was a department store headquartered in San Diego, California, established by prominent local figure George Marston. Its flagship location was situated downtown on Sixth Street, and the company later launched two suburban outlets before being acquired by The Broadway in 1961.
Recognition
The San Diego Downtown News described the store as San Diego’s most "distinguished" department store and praised its "sophisticated" atmosphere. Meanwhile, an advertisement in Golden Era magazine touted Marston’s as the "premier dry goods establishment in San Diego."
Background
George Marston began his retail career at age 20 in 1870 as an assistant bookkeeper at Aaron Pauly’s store and wharf office, a position he held for two years. Following that, he served for one year as a clerk under Joseph Nash, whose grocery, dry goods, and clothing store was marketed as the city's "most affordable." In 1873, Marston partnered with his close friend and former Pauly’s clerk Charles Hamilton to purchase Nash’s business and operate it jointly.
By 1878, Marston ventured independently, opening his own clothing and dry goods shop located on Fifth Avenue between G and H (now Market) streets. Three years later, in 1881, the business expanded into a new two-story building at 509 Fifth Avenue.
In 1896, Marston’s relocated to a newly constructed four-story neo-Renaissance style building at 427 C Street—the southwest corner of Fifth and C—built by his uncle Stephen W. Marston at a cost of $60,000 (equivalent to approximately $Template:Format price in today’s dollars). This structure featured spacious aisles, an open central court extending from the ground floor to the roof, and one of the city’s first elevators. The building remains today as an office space known as the Marston Building.
In 1907, Marston’s invested $15,000 (~$Template:Format price adjusted) to upgrade its premises by converting the third-floor storage area into approximately 5,000 square feet (460 m2) of retail space dedicated to women's underwear and hosiery, including dressing rooms. Additional funds were allocated for new fixtures and interior enhancements.
The company shifted to its final site across Fifth Avenue in 1912. By 1954, Marston’s had expanded with a six-story extension on Fifth Avenue, occupying the entire block along the north side of C Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues; this addition was demolished during the 1960s. In 1960, Marston’s further broadened its footprint by opening a home furnishings annex within the former Parmelee-Dohrmann building at Seventh and C streets.
Tearoom
Opening its doors on April 27, 1955, Marston's introduced its inaugural sit-down dining experience with a tearoom accommodating 190 guests. The space was crafted by architect Sam Hamill from San Diego. The decor featured several Japanese screens aged between 200 and 400 years. Columns were wrapped in pigskin, while the dining area and entrance were adorned with gray-green wall-to-wall carpeting. The menu offered items such as coconut cream pie, crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sliced into wedges, the Pacific Paragon salad sandwich, tomatoes filled with cottage cheese, and a frozen fruit salad topped with whipped cream dressing, served alongside minced turkey finger sandwiches. Prices for sandwiches ranged from $0.95 to $1.50 and included options like open-faced turkey with Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing, corned beef on pumpernickel, and a club sandwich accompanied by fruit aspic. Fashion shows were held daily, featuring models strolling among diners to showcase the latest trends.
Legacy
In 1961, Marston's retail outlets were acquired by The Broadway.
The following year saw the launch of a 200,680-square-foot branch at Chula Vista Center, retaining the Marston's name. This location was distinguished by its murals: the Orange Tree Restaurant displayed scenes of missions, orange groves, and mountains; the women's "Fashion Circle" featured depictions of South Bay and Coronado landmarks, including the Hotel del Coronado; murals in the men's section highlighted the region's Spanish heritage, early 19th-century maritime activity, rancheros en route to a fiesta, and the historic harbor; while the boys' area illustrated the 1833 Montgomery glider flight alongside the Spirit of St. Louis.
The original downtown flagship store was torn down in 1969 after Broadway opened a substantial new location within Fashion Valley Mall. Today, that site is occupied by Ross Dress for Less.
Both the Grossmont Center and Chula Vista Center stores transitioned into Broadway outlets and have since become Macy's locations.
The Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) preserves a collection of Marston's artifacts at the Marston House, which operates as a museum.
External links
- "Marston's", The Department Store Museum (blog)
- Marston House Museum & Gardens, Save Our Heritage San Diego