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Wm. Schilling & Sons

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Wm. Schilling & Sons, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 202518 sources
Buffums
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail
Founded1904
FounderCharles Buffum, Edwin Buffum, and partners
Defunct1991
FateLiquidation
Headquarters
Long Beach, California
,
United States
Area served
Southern California
ProductsDepartment store goods, specialty retail
Buffums final logo

Template:Use mdy dates

Buffums newly expanded store, 1924

Buffums, initially styled as Buffums' with an apostrophe, was a high-end department store chain based in Long Beach, California. The origins of Buffums trace back to 1904 when brothers Charles and Edwin Buffum, originally from Illinois, along with several partners, acquired the Schilling Bros., Long Beach’s largest dry goods retailer at the time. They subsequently rebranded the establishment as The Mercantile Co.. Over time, the business expanded into a prominent downtown department store. Beginning in the 1950s, Buffums gradually evolved into a modest regional chain comprising 16 speciality department store locations throughout Southern California by the time it ceased operations in 1990.[1][2][3]

Throughout its history, Buffums earned the nickname "Grand Dame" among local department stores. Its interiors were distinguished by grand chandeliers and other lavish design elements. To set itself apart from competitors such as The Broadway and Bullock's, as well as national chains like May Co. and Robinson's, Buffums promoted itself as "Buffums Specialty Store."Template:Fix/category[citation needed] The chain’s most recognizable marketing slogan was "I've been to Buffums," widely featured in print and television campaigns during the 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, it gained attention for its "Bag-A-Bargain" campaign, which involved distributing shopping bags printed with discount offers through local newspapers.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]

Similar to many regional department stores of its time, Buffums faced challenges from outdated retail practices, evolving consumer preferences, and competition from newcomers like Seattle-based Nordstrom. In the 1970s, ownership transferred to Australian retailer David Jones, which attempted to divest the struggling chain during the following decade. By then, Buffums had become part of the Australian conglomerate Adelaide Steamship Company, which ultimately failed to secure a buyer. As a final attempt to modernize operations, Buffums implemented new IBM point-of-sale systems across all locations in 1990, complementing their recently acquired IBM AS/400 midrange computer system at their data center. Despite these efforts, the company entered liquidation shortly after the 1990 holiday shopping season concluded.

Flagship

Buffums' emblem alongside a drawing of the expanded flagship store, 1924

The growth of Buffums' Downtown flagship store occurred as follows:[4]

Originating as Wm. Schilling & Sons, a dry goods retailer, it began operations in 1892 at the intersection of 2nd and Pine in Long Beach. By 1902, the store had relocated to the Stafford Block at 127–129 Pine Avenue and was described as a spacious 6,250 sq ft (581 m2) "department store" offering an extensive range of dress goods, furnishings for men and women, clothing, footwear, hats, blankets, and comforters. That same year marked the retirement of William Schilling Sr., leading to the business being renamed Schilling Bros..[5]

In 1904, a group of partners acquired the Schilling Bros. enterprise for $65,000 (approximately $Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year). This consortium included Charles and Edwin Buffum from Illinois alongside local businessmen S. Townsend, W. L. Porterneld, and C. J. Walter. The business was rebranded as The Mercantile Co.. The original Schilling Bros. location at 127–129 Pine Avenue—situated a few doors south of Broadway—would later transform into the men's shoe department within the future Buffums flagship store.[4] The following year, The Mercantile Co. acquired a parcel at the southwest corner of Pine and Broadway measuring 74.5 by 150 feet (11,175 square feet (1,038.2 m2)), intending to construct a five-story building; however, only three stories were completed by 1912.

  • In 1924, a new six-story structure was added; the "New Buffums'" opened gradually beginning in early May that year.[6]
  • By 1941, the "Autoport" parking garage was constructed (and remains standing).
  • The year 1960 saw the addition of a Varsity Shop, Red Cross Shoe Store, and a four-story parking facility.
  • In 1964, an expansion added 14,000 square feet to occupy the entire block along Broadway between Pine and Pacific Avenues, bringing total floor space to 180,000 square feet (17,000 m2) within the Downtown flagship complex. This enlargement included a comprehensive Interior Design and Home Furnishings department as well as a dedicated "Sportsman's Shop".[7]

Within downtown Long Beach, Buffums competed with smaller local department stores such as Marti and Wise Cos., alongside larger chains like Sears and Ward's, all of which launched substantial new stores in the area during 1928–29.[8] Later on, in the early 1950s, suburban shopping centers such as Lakewood Center (featuring May Company California) and Los Altos Center (anchored by The Broadway) emerged as additional competition for suburban customers.

The flagship complex was sold in 1981 and subsequently demolished in 1985[9] to make way for office developments (as of 2020 including a WeWork location),[10] while Buffums relocated its Long Beach retail operations and corporate headquarters to the nearby Long Beach Plaza mall upon its opening in 1982.[11]

Branches

At the time of Buffums' liquidation, the chain operated sixteen stores:[3][12]

Location Street or Mall Size (sq ft) Size (sq m) Year Opened Year Closed Additional Information
Long Beach flagship Fourth/Pine Template:Nts Template:Nts 1912 1982 The original flagship store, inaugurated in 1912, underwent expansions over several decades. It ceased operations in 1982 and was succeeded by the Long Beach Plaza location. The building was demolished in 1985.
Santa Ana Main/Bush/9th/10th Streets Template:Nts[13] Template:Nts 1950 1987 This standalone location represented Buffums' first branch outside Long Beach. Constructed on the former site of Santa Ana Junior College, which relocated in 1947. The building was designed by architects Wurdeman & Becket, also known for Bullock's Pasadena. Officially opened on July 6, 1950. A men's store was added across the street in 1963. Closed in 1987; currently houses County of Orange offices for Probation, Community Court, and Child Support Services.
Marina district, Long Beach E. 2nd St. at PCH Template:Nts[14] Template:Nts 1961[15] 1976[14] Opened as Buffums' Marina Sportswear, this two-story store was dubbed the "World's First Shopping Resort," featuring medium to upscale sportswear for men, women, and children. The grand opening ribbon was cut by Stella Márquez of Colombia, Miss International 1960. Decor included nautical themes and maritime antiques. Provided parking for 200 vehicles plus boat slips. Closed when a larger nearby location opened in 1976. Presently a CVS Pharmacy at 6265 E. 2nd St.
Pomona Pomona Mall East Template:Nts[16] Template:Nts 1962[15] 1991 Situated along Pomona's former pedestrian mall designed by local artist Millard Sheets. The Palomare Room showcased two extensive murals by Sheets depicting early Spanish settlement in the Pomona Valley.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Peninsula Center Template:Nts[16] Template:Nts 1963[15] 1991
Lakewood Lakewood Center Template:Nts Template:Nts 1965[15] 1991
Newport Beach Fashion Island Template:Nts[17] Template:Nts 1967 1991 Opened concurrently with the mall on September 9, 1967. Designed by Welton Becket and Associates. After closure, the space was subdivided.
La Habra La Habra Fashion Square 120,000[18] 11,150 1968

Open since August 10, 1968. Interior featured furniture and chandeliers created by renowned stage and film designer Tony Duquette.[18] [16]

Location Street or Mall Size (sq ft) Size (sq m) Year Opened Year Closed Additional Information
Location Street or Mall Size (sq ft) Size (sq m) Year Opened Year Closed Additional Information
Location Street or Mall Size (sq ft) Size (sq m) Year Opened Year Closed Additional Information

Relaunch

In January 2015, a group of investors from California registered Buffums' Stores, LLC. with the California Secretary of State. According to updates on the Buffums Facebook page, the brand made a comeback in October 2015 through a modest specialty store located in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach. Nevertheless, this revival was brief, as the former leaders of Buffums Stores, Inc. relocated their business to Naples, Florida, where they inaugurated a new store under the name The b.Store, subsequently closing the Belmont Shore location on 2nd Street in March 2016.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Silverstein, Stuart (March 14, 1991). "Buffums to Close in May, Ending 87-Year History : Retail: The department store chain lost $4.2 million its last fiscal year. The jobs of 1,400 employees will be eliminated". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  2. ↑ Silverstein, Stuart (March 15, 1991). "Buffums' Closings 'Like Losing an Old Friend'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Long Beach Lost: The Buffums' department store in Downtown • Long Beach Post". Long Beach Post. November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "New Buffums' Store Opens; 5th Under Way". Long Beach Independent. October 2, 1969. p. 9.
  5. ↑ "Wm. Schilling & Sons". Long Beach Press. December 15, 1902. p. 7. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Buffums new 5th floor lounge and beauty rooms open". Press-Telegram. May 11, 1924. p. 2.
  7. ↑ Chilcote, Ken (January 26, 1964). "Buffum's will expand store to Pacific Ave". Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram.
  8. ↑ "Long Beach Marks Record-Breaking Era in Construction". Los Angeles Times. July 7, 1929.
  9. ↑ "Reminiscing Revealed". Signal Tribute. May 23, 2008. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Long Beach Lost: The Buffums' department store in Downtown • the Hi-lo". November 10, 2018.
  11. ↑ Gore, Robert (October 16, 1981). "Buffums building in LB is sold". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ "Buffums to shut all 16 department stores". UPI.
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named santa-ana-sqft
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named marina
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named buffums-lakewood
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named buffums-lahabra-duquette
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lat1967
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lahabra

Template:History of Retail in Southern California

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