Wineman's

Wineman's

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

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

Wineman's was a department store chain operating throughout Southern and Central California. Founded in Ventura in 1890, it later became a well-known retail presence in Oxnard and Huntington Park.

Founding Years (1890–1920)

The original 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 prolonged absence of its proprietor or manager, Frank Daly. In 1902, they relocated from Ventura to Oxnard, constructing a brick building at the intersection of Fifth and Saviers streets. This new location featured a dry goods retail space measuring approximately 75 by 80 feet (about 6,000 square feet (560 m²)) on the ground floor. By 1903, Wineman's had merged with the Chicago Store.

The business experienced growth and doubled its retail area around 1919 or 1920.

Growth Across California (Early 1920s)

During the early 1920s, Wineman's expanded by acquiring additional stores throughout California. In July 1924, the company relocated its headquarters to the Grayco Building at 720 Los Angeles Street in Los Angeles. At this time, the firm announced an objective to operate a network of 100 stores stretching along the coast. By January 1925, Wineman's maintained branches in several locations:

• Central Coast: Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Ventura, Santa Maria
• Central Valley: Dinuba, Visalia
• Los Angeles County:
  • Inglewood (store opened August 15, 1924)
  • Huntington Park (store opened November 1924)

Subsequently, possibly around 1935, Wineman's relocated within Huntington Park to a new facility at 6351 Pacific Boulevard. This building, constructed in 1935 and encompassing approximately 16,000 square feet, is currently occupied by "Shoe Palace". Pacific Boulevard served as the primary shopping area for southeastern Los Angeles suburbs from the 1930s through the mid-20th century.

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

A significant change in company 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 Wineman. Concurrently, it was declared that operations would be limited to just two locations: Oxnard, known as the "mother store," and the Visalia store, regarded as one of the finest in the chain.

Ultimately, the business chose to focus its resources on Oxnard and Huntington Park, leading to the closure of both the Visalia and Fillmore stores on January 12, 1926. The Oxnard location itself ceased operations in 1940.

Huntington Park as Sole Outlet (1940–1968)

Following these closures, Huntington Park remained the company's only store, becoming synonymous with the Wineman brand. The opening of this store in 1924 came to define the company's timeline; for instance, in 1974, the store commemorated its 50th anniversary based on this date despite having an earlier history. Over time, the Huntington Park store underwent expansions in 1940, 1957, and again in 1966—growing from a modest 25-foot frontage at its inception to a substantial 150 feet by 1966.

Renewed Growth Phase (1969–1984)

For many years, Huntington Park stood alone as Wineman's sole location until expansion resumed in 1969. During this period, several new branches were introduced:

• Monrovia: In 1969, Boston Stores acquired McBratney's Department Store, which was rebranded under Wineman's. Advertising for this branch ended by 1972 but continued briefly after Placentia's launch; it likely closed before the Mission Viejo store opened.
• Placentia: Situated at 110 E. Yorba Linda Blvd., this approximately 26,400-square-foot store commenced operations on October 19, 1973.
• Mission Viejo: Located within Mission Viejo Village Center, this branch opened around September 1975.
• Garden Grove: Established at the Garden Grove Mall (Orange County Plaza), it began business on September 1, 1979. Advertising for this site ceased shortly after in 1980.
• Corona: Positioned at 718 N. Main St., near Parkridge, this location was active from approximately 1979 through early 1980s. By 1983, the address had become Miller's Outpost.

These expansions marked a new chapter of growth following decades of operating exclusively from Huntington Park.

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 the acquisition, the locations in Mission Viejo and Placentia were rebranded and promoted as branches of Boston Store. However, there is no evidence 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 outlets had already been shut down. Boston Stores ultimately ceased operations in 1996.