Silverwoods

Silverwoods

Company type	Private
Industry	Retail (men's apparel)
Founded	1894 in Los Angeles, California, United States
Founder	Francis Bernard Silverwood
Defunct	1992
Fate	Closure
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Area served	Greater Los Angeles region
Products	Men's apparel, business suits, accessories

Overview

Silverwoods, initially known as F. B. Silverwood, was a chain of men's apparel stores established in Los Angeles in 1894 by Francis Bernard (F.B. "Daddy") Silverwood, a Canadian-American entrepreneur originally from near Lindsay, Ontario. Silverwood was a notable figure often featured in newspapers, recognized not only as a retailer but also as a songwriter, Shriner, and for his high-profile marriage in 1920.

The inaugural F. B. Silverwood outlet launched on May 8, 1894, at 124 S. Spring Street, specializing exclusively in men's accessories. It employed four staff members and generated sales amounting to $38,000 that year (equivalent to approximately $Template:Format price adjusted for inflation). The business soon relocated to a more spacious site at 221 S. Spring Street. The flagship location was established in 1904 at the intersection of Sixth and Broadway. In 1920, the store temporarily moved to 320 S. Broadway while the original building was demolished starting January 26 of that year. A new six-story building spanning 115,420 sq ft (10,723 m²) was constructed on the same site at Sixth and Broadway, officially opening on September 1, 1920. This flagship store remained operational until its closure in 1974, shortly after Silverwoods inaugurated a new downtown outlet within Broadway Plaza (currently known as The Bloc Los Angeles) on Seventh Street.

At its grand opening in 1920, the flagship store featured the following layout:

• First floor: hats and men's furnishings
• Second floor: suits and overcoats
• Third floor: boys' apparel
• Fourth floor: storage area
• Fifth floor: corporate offices and tailoring services
• Basement: outdoor and workwear clothing; gloves

The company formalized its incorporation in November 1920, at which point it operated four branch locations—in Long Beach, Bakersfield, Maricopa, and San Bernardino—in addition to the flagship store. Founder F. B. Silverwood passed away in March 1924. In subsequent decades, ownership transferred to Hartmarx Corporation, with the chain concentrating primarily on business suits until its eventual closure. Over time, the brand's offerings became less aligned with the evolving fashion preferences of Southern California's male consumers.

By the time Silverwoods ceased operations in 1992, it had expanded into an eighteen-store network serving the Greater Los Angeles region.

Stores

As of 1973, Silverwoods operated branches in the following locations:

Area	Address	Remarks
Downtown Los Angeles, Broadway retail district	6th & Broadway	Served as the last flagship location. Established September 1, 1920. Ceased operations in 1974.
Downtown Los Angeles, 7th Street shopping area	Broadway Plaza, corner of 7th & Hope
University Park, Los Angeles	University of Southern California
Miracle Mile, Los Angeles	5522 Wilshire Boulevard	Launched in 1929 within the "Wilshire Tower" complex designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, alongside Desmond's
Crenshaw District	4129 Crenshaw Boulevard, Crenshaw Center (currently Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza)	Inaugurated April 8, 1949; spanned 22,500 square feet (2,090 m2); designed by Albert B. Gardener
Anaheim	Anaheim Center
Panorama City, Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley)	Panorama City Shopping Center	Opened on October 10, 1955, co-located with The Broadway Valley branch
Torrance	Del Amo Fashion Square
Pasadena, California	Lake Avenue
Century City, Los Angeles	Century City Shopping Center
Canoga Park	Topanga Plaza
Oxnard, California
San Bernardino
Santa Barbara	833 State St.
Las Vegas
Newport Beach	Fashion Island
Montclair	Montclair Plaza
La Habra	La Habra Fashion Square
Palm Springs
Riverside
Downey	Stonewood Center
Cerritos	Los Cerritos Center