McBratney's

Wineman's

Company type	Department store chain
Industry	Retail
Founded	1890 in Ventura, California, United States
Fate	Acquired by Boston Stores in 1984
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Area served	Southern and Central California
Products	Department store goods

Advertisement for Wineman's from 1924, highlighting its intent to establish an extensive network of stores along the California coastline

Wineman's was a department store chain operating in Southern and Central California. It began in Ventura in 1890 and later became well-known as a prominent retailer in Oxnard and Huntington Park.

Founding Years (1890-1920)

The initial Wineman's store was established in Ventura in 1890. Around 1900, the Wineman family expanded their operations to nearby Oxnard by overseeing the Chicago Store during the extended absence of its proprietor or manager, Frank Daly. By 1902, they relocated from Ventura to Oxnard, constructing a brick commercial building at the intersection of Fifth and Saviers Streets. This structure housed a dry goods store on its first floor measuring approximately 75 by 80 feet (about 6,000 square feet (560 m²)). The following year, Wineman's incorporated the Chicago Store into their business.

By 1919 or 1920, the store underwent enlargement, effectively doubling its retail space.

Growth throughout California (early 1920s)

During the early 1920s, Wineman's expanded its portfolio by acquiring additional stores across the state. In July 1924, the company relocated its headquarters to the Grayco Building at 720 Los Angeles Street in Los Angeles. At that time, Wineman's declared an ambition to operate a hundred locations along California’s coastline. As of January 1925, their branches included:

• Central Coast: Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Ventura, Santa Maria
• Central Valley: Dinuba, Visalia
• Los Angeles County:
  • Inglewood, which opened on August 15, 1924
  • Huntington Park, inaugurated in November 1924. Subsequently—possibly around 1935—Wineman's relocated to 6351 Pacific Boulevard. The building constructed in 1935 spans approximately 16,000 square feet; today it operates as "Shoe Palace." This area of Pacific Boulevard was recognized as the busiest shopping district within the southeastern suburbs of Los Angeles County from the 1930s through the mid-20th century.

Shift to Oxnard and Huntington Park (late 1920s–1940)

A significant change in the company's direction occurred in October 1925 when Alvin Wineman stepped down from his roles as president and manager, although he retained a position on the board. Buford Graves, affiliated with the National City Bank of Los Angeles, succeeded him. Concurrently, it was declared that only the Oxnard store, regarded as the flagship location, and the Visalia store, noted for its quality, would remain operational.

Ultimately, the company chose to focus its resources on Oxnard and Huntington Park. Consequently, the Visalia store along with the Fillmore location ceased operations on January 12, 1926.

The Oxnard store itself was shuttered in 1940.

Huntington Park as sole location (1940–1968)

Following these closures, Wineman's operated exclusively at Huntington Park, which became synonymous with the brand’s identity. Although the company had a longer history, it marked the 1924 opening of the Huntington Park store as its foundational milestone; for instance, in 1974 it commemorated its 50th anniversary based on this date. The store underwent expansions in 1940, 1957, and 1966—growing from an initial 25-foot frontage in 1924 to a substantial 150 feet by 1966.

Renewed expansion phase (1969–1984)

For many years Huntington Park remained the only branch until growth resumed in 1969. During this period, several new locations were established:

• Monrovia: In 1969, Boston Stores acquired McBratney's Department Store, which became part of Wineman's network. Advertising for this site ceased around 1972 but continued after Placentia’s opening; it likely closed before the Mission Viejo store launched.
• Placentia, located at 110 E. Yorba Linda Blvd., covering approximately 26,400 square feet (2,450 m²), opened on October 19, 1973.
• Mission Viejo: Situated in Mission Viejo Village Center, this branch began operations around September 1975.
• Garden Grove: Located at Garden Grove Mall (Orange County Plaza), this store opened on September 1, 1979. Advertising for this outlet ended shortly after in 1980.
• Corona: Located at 718 N. Main St., near Parkridge. This site was actively advertised during 1981–82; however, by 1983 it had become Miller's Outpost. The Corona store opened concurrently with Garden Grove in 1979.

Acquisition by Boston Stores (1984)

In 1984, Wineman's was purchased by Boston Stores, a Southern California-based retail chain distinct from other similarly named entities. Following this acquisition, the outlets in Mission Viejo and Placentia were rebranded and promoted as branches of Boston Store. However, there is no evidence indicating that the Huntington Park Wineman's location ever operated under the Boston Store name. Prior to Boston Stores' takeover, the Garden Grove, Corona, and Monrovia locations had already been shut down. Boston Stores ultimately ceased operations in 1996.