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White Front
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryDiscount store, Retail
Founded1929; 95 years ago (1929) in Los Angeles
Defunct1975; 49 years ago (1975)
FateBankruptcy of parent company
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California[1]
Area served
California, Oregon, Washington
Productsclothing, footwear, housewares, sporting goods, hardware, toys, electronics, groceries
ParentInterstate Department Stores

White Front was a chain of discount department stores in California and the western United States from 1959 through the mid-1970s. The stores were noted for the architecture of their store fronts which was an enormous, sweeping archway with the store name spelled in individual letters fanned across the top. For several years, White Front was the leading discount store in the U.S.[2]

History

[edit]

An urban legend claimed that the name White Front was said[according to whom?] to refer to the practice of lining up appliances (so-called "white goods") like washers, dryers and stoves in front of the store, giving it a "white front." Another feature of each store was that each had a separate key booth located in the parking lot.[3][failed verification][original research?]

In 1929, the company was founded and opened its first store at 7651 S. Central Avenue in Florence, South Los Angeles[4][5] In 1950 it expanded this store. In a 1950 advertisement, the company tongue-in-cheek explained that its lone location was in a "low rent area".[6]

Origins and initial growth

[edit]

White Front traced its origin to the opening of a small Los Angeles self-service grocery store on Central Avenue near 77th Street by a 23-year redhead named Harry Blackman just a few weeks before the stock market crash of 1929. Blackman had worked in the food store business for several years by working through various positions up to store manager before he decided we wanted to start his own business. He opened the White Front Market, named after the color of the store front, on Central with $200 cash and $10,000 credit with wholesalers. He tried to carry items that his customers wanted and tried to help his customers by allowing his customers to pay for their groceries on credit until they received their relief checks.[7] A 1934 article in the Los Angeles Evening Post-Record showed that Blackman's grocery store, White Front Market, was located at 7710 South Central Avenue[8] and a 1940 ad in the Los Angeles Times also showed the market was still at the same address six years later.[9]

At first, the small store did not sell non-food items such as small tube radios. His initial foray happened purely by accident. A radio salesman that he knew came into the store one day and asked Blackman if he can help him sell some small portable radios in his store that were priced at $9.95 by having Blackman display the radios near the cash register. The radios were not selling at all at the list price until a woman offered to purchase one on credit by paying $0.50 down and then $0.50 per week until the radio was paid off. Blackman was able to sell the rest of the radios to several other customers under the same terms. Later, another customer offered to purchase the same radio for $8 in cash. Under the new cash terms, Blackman found out that he could that he could sell even more radios at a quicker rate while still making a small profit on each radio. He later branched out and start selling other small household appliances in his grocery store, such as toasters and steam irons. This side business continue on until the attack on Pearl Harbor had occurred in 1941 when consumer goods production was halted when the nation's factories switched over to the production of war-related goods to supply the armed forces. Blackman himself was drafted into the army in 1943. Blackman's wife Lillian continue to operate the grocery until his return after the war.[7]

After Blackman return from the Army, Blackman opened a major appliance store across the street from the grocery at 7657 S. Central Avenue called White Front Household Appliance.[10]His new store sold large appliances sch as refrigerators, washers, and televisions in addition to small appliances such as mixers, toasters, and radios. Gradually, his store slowly expanded down the block to occupy most of the neighboring store fronts on Central.[11] When the store expanded to the end of the block, the store shorten its name to White Front Appliance and the official address was changed to 7651 S. Central Avenue.[12] By 1954, the company changed its name to White Front Stores and started to carry other items besides appliances such as furniture, jewelry, carpeting, luggage, cameras, and silverware.[13]

White Front opened its second store in October 1957 at 16040 Sherman Way in Van Nuys. The new store, at 50,000-square-foot, was larger than the original store on Central.[14][15][16] Celebrities attending the grand opening included Bozo the Clown and Engineer Bill.[17] At this time, the leaders of this company were Harry Blackman as president, Sam Nassi as vice-president, and Harry's wife Lillian as secretary-treasurer.[17] Ironically, Nassi would return years later to help White Front's liquidate its store inventory in 1973.[18][19]

In April 1959, the two store chain was acquired by Interstate Department Stores, Inc., for $1,650,000 (~$13.2 million in 2023) in cash and shares.[20] Interstate expanded the chain to other California locations and broadened its retail mix beyond the original housewares.[21][22] Around this same time, Interstate had also acquired another discount department store chain in the eastern part of the country called Topps Discount Stores, but Interstate always had kept the two chains separate.[21]

Rapid growth in California under Interstate

[edit]

With a large infusion of cash from its new parent Interstate, White Front was able to rapidly expand throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area and into the rest of California. The company was known for is extravagant grand openings ceremonies which include governmental officials and Hollywood celebrities.

In November 1960, White Front opened the third store in their chain at Harbor and Wilken Way in Anaheim.[23][24] Celebrities at the grand opening included the California attorney general Stanley Mosk and actress Marilyn Maxwell.[25]

The fourth White Front store was opened on Olympic Blvd. in East Los Angeles in October 1961 by converting an existing building that was previously being used as the general offices and also as a warehouse.[26]

In March 1962, the company opened its fifth store on Azuza Avenue in Covina.[27] Grand opening celebrities included were actors Keenan Wynn, Mark Stevens, Gail Davis and Greta Thyssen.[28]

The sixth White Front store was opened on Orange Show Road in San Bernardino in October 1962.[29] Celebrities included were actors Johnny Weismuller, Greta Thyssen, Alan Mowbray, and Gail Davis.[30]

In November 1962, the seventh store was opened at Jefferson and Hauser Blvds. in West Los Angeles.[31] Celebrities included were actors Greta Thyssen, Alan Mowbray, Keenan Wynn and Gail Davis.[32]

The eighth White Front store was opened on Torrance Blvd. in Torrance in March 1963.[33] Celebrities included were actor Ricardo Montalbán, comedian Soupy Sales,[34][35] actress Gail Davis, actress Mala Powers, and actor Johnny Weissmuller.[33]

In May 1963, the ninth store was opened on Roscoe Blvd. in Canoga Park.[36] Celebrities included were comedian Pinky Lee, comedian Bill Dana, actress Gail Davis, rock duo Jan and Dean, and jazz musician Big Tiny Little.[37]

The tenth White Front store was opened on Hegenberger Road in Oakland in early October 1963. This was the first store to open in Northern California.[38] Dignitaries included were California state officials such as Governor Edmund G. Brown Sr., Lieutenant Governor Glenn M. Anderson, and Attorney General Stanley Mosk. Celebrities attending included actors Jayne Mansfield,[38] George Jessel, Marvin Miller, Troy Donahue, and Gail Davis.[39]

In late October 1963, the chain open its 11th store on Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima.[40] Celebrities included were actors Troy Donahue, Rick Jason and Gail Davis.[41]

The 12th White Front store was opened on Moorpark in San Jose in November 1963. This was the second store to open in Northern California.[42]

In May 1964, the 13th store was opened on El Camino Real in Sunnyvale. This was the third store to open in Northern California.[43][44][45]

The 14th White Front store was opened on Arden Way in Sacramento in August 1964. This was the fourth store to open in Northern California.[46][47] Celebrities included were actors Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Gail Davis, and Marvin Miller.[48]

In early November 1964, the 15th store was opened on Contra Costa Blvd. in Pleasant Hill. This was the fifth store to open in Northern California.[49] Celebrities included were actors Mamie Van Doren, Marvin Miller, Rick Jason, and Gail Davis.[50]

The 16th White Front store was opened on Mountain Avenue in Ontario in late November 1964. Celebrities included were actors Gail Davis.[51]

In May 1965, the 17th store was opened on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. This was the sixth store to open in Northern California.[52] Celebrities included were actors Gail Davis, Marvin Miller and Rick Jason.[53]

The original Central Avenue store was "burned to the ground" during the August 1965 Watts riots.[54][55] This caused the official store count to drop back to 16 stores.

The 17th White Front store was opened at Florin Road and Stockton Boulevard in South Sacramento in September 1965. This was the seventh store to open in Northern California and the second in Sacramento. Celebrities included were actors Marvin Miller and the rock group The Turtles.[56]

In November 1965, the 18th store was opened on El Camino Real in South San Francisco. This was the eighth store to open in Northern California. Celebrities included were actors Carol Channing, Jayne Mansfield, Marvin Miller, Rick Jason, and Gail Davis plus the musical group Liverpool Five.[57]

A pair of stores, the 19th and 20th stores in the chain, were opened in San Diego county in late November in La Mesa and in San Diego.[58] Celebrities included were actors Jayne Mansfield, Rick Jason, Marvin Miller, and Gail Davis plus the Jerry Gray Orchestra.[59]

In September 1966, the 21st store was opened on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa. Celebrities included were actors Jayne Mansfield, Quinn O'Hara, Joanie Sommers, Mark Miller, Chris Robinson, Marvin Miller and Rick Jason.[60][61]

The 22nd White Front store was opened on Woodruff in Downey in November 1966.[62] Celebrities included were actors Joanie Sommers, Lori Saunders and Marvin Miller.[63]

In March 1967, the 23rd store was opened on Central Avenue in Los Angeles on the site of the original Central Avenue store that was razed to the ground 19 months prior by angry rioters.[64][65] Celebrities included were comedian Bill Cosby and actors Carole Cole, and Rick Jason.[66][67]

The first two stores to be built outside of California were opened in Washington state in October and November 1967.

In April 1968, White Front announced that they were closing their Van Nuys store and liquidating the stock at that store only. At the time of the announcement, the Van Nuys store was the oldest store at that time and the only store at that time that predated the acquisition of the company by Interstate.[68][69] The result of this store closing resulted in the official store count to be reduced by one.

The 27th White Front store in the nation, the 24th in California and the ninth in Northern California, was opened on Sixteenth Street, on the site of the former Seals Stadium, in San Francisco in October 1968.[70] Celebrities included were singing star John Gary; comedian Pat Paulsen; and actors Rose Marie and Lainie Kazan.[71]

The last mention of the rebuilt Central Avenue store was in a December 1968 White Front ad. This ad also mentions the locations of 11 other Los Angeles-area stores. Of the 12 stores listed, 8 were in Los Angeles County, 2 in Orange County, and 2 in San Bernardino County.[72] There are no verifiable records when this store official closed.

In March 1969, the 26th White Front store was opened on Mowry Avenue in Newark. This was the tenth store in Northern California.[73][74] Celebrities included were singer Bill Medley of the The Righteous Brothers; comedian Charles Nelson Reilly; plus actors Richard X. Slattery, Barbara Stuart, Dick Gautier, Warren Berlinger, Elizabeth Allen, Ann B. Davis, Bill Mumy, Susan Saint James, and Jay Silverheels.[75][76]

The 27th store in the chain was opened in the Puget Sound area of Washington state.

In December 1969, the 28th White Front store in the nation and the 25th store in California was opened on Ventu Park Road in Thousand Oaks.[77] Celebrities included were actors Lainie Kazan and Darby Hinton.[78]

The 29th White Front store in the nation and the 26th store in California was opened on the Imperial Highway at Normandie in the southwest portion of Los Angeles County in March 1970. This store is one of the first of the "new look" stores without the distinctive arch entryway. Celebrities included were NBA player and coach Bill Russell, Los Angeles Rams defense back Ron Smith, actor Don Mitchell, singer Abbe Lane, and singer Della Reese.[79][80]

In April 1970, the 30th White Front store and the 27th store in California was opened at Pierce and Central Avenues in Richmond El Cerrito.[81] This was the 11th store in Northern California.[82]

In May 1970, the 31st White Front store in the nation and the 28th store in California was opened on National Avenue in Chula Vista. This was the third store in San Diego County.[83] Celebrities at the grand opening included NFL quarterback John Hadl; NBA player John Block; talk show host Regis Philbin; and actors Dennis Cole, Burt Ward, and Lee Meriwether.[84] Pantry Pride operated the discount food supermarket in the Chula Vista store and also at the other two White Front stores in San Diego County.[85]

It was expected that the 32nd White Front store in the nation was going to open in San Carlos sometime around August 1970.[86] Unfortunately, no verifiable newspaper articles can be located to verify when the grand opening of this store had actually occurred.

Although there exists newspaper articles that reports the April 1970 land purchase for the site of the future 120,000-square-foot White Front store on California Avenue in what would be the Bakersfield Plaza shopping center in Bakersfield,[87][88] no verifiable newspaper articles can be located to verify when the grand opening of this store had actually occurred. It is inferred that the Bakersfield store had opened sometime after the opening of San Carlos store in mid-1970 and before the opening of the Riverside store in May 1971. The Bakersfield store was the second White Front store to open in Central California after the opening of the store in Fresno.

The first and only store in Oregon was opened in September 1970.

In May 1971, the 36th White Front store in the nation was opened on Magnolia in Riverside.[89]

The 37th White Front store in the nation was opened on Cherry Avenue in Long Beach in September 1971.[90][91]

At the company's height in mid-1972, the company had 37 White Front stores located in three states.

A June 1972 White Front ad in the San Bernardino Sun displayed the addresses of 15 stores in Southern California with 9 stores in Los Angeles County, 2 in San Bernardino County, 2 Stores in Orange County, 1 in Riverside County, and 1 in Ventura County. Notably missing from this store list is the Central Avenue store, and the definitely closed Van Nuys store. Also listed are three TV & Appliance Marts that were located in Temple City, Glendale, and Whittier.[92]

An October 1972 White Front ad in the San Bernardino Sun displayed the addresses of 16 stores in Southern California with 7 stores in Los Angeles County, 3 stores in San Diego County, 2 in San Bernardino County, 2 Stores in Orange County, 1 in Riverside County, and 1 in Ventura County. Notably missing from this store list is the Central Avenue store, the definitely closed Van Nuys store, the Torrance store, and the year-old Long Beach Store.[93]

Entering the Puget Sound market

[edit]

White Front entered the Seattle/Tacoma market on October 19, 1967, with the North Seattle location in a 155,000-square-foot building and a parking lot with a capacity for 1,000 vehicles. The grand opening was hosted by the stars of Petticoat Junction, Howard Duff, and Sharon Vaughn, the former Miss Washington of 1958, who was known as Miss White Front for the opening. It was televised live for three hours on KING-TV.[94] Four additional stores were built in high-traffic areas in Burien, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Everett.[citation needed]

Two weeks after the opening of the North Seattle location, the second White Front store in Washington state was open in Tacoma on November 1, 1967.[95][96]

No newspaper articles can be located that mentions the opening of the Burien store. In November 1969, the fourth store in Washington state was opened on 148th Avenue in Bellevue.[97]

The fifth and last store in Washington state was opened at the Everett Mall in Everett in May 1971.[98]

All but the Everett location were closed by January 19, 1973.[99] The last ad for White Front appeared in The Seattle Times on December 9, 1972. The Everett and Portland stores remained open (the only two locations to remain open outside of California) while the remaining stores' merchandise was liquidated until February 1973.[100] According to a December 14 article in The Seattle Times, the company stated that "the five stores hadn't begun to turn a profit".[101] While the company was quiet about the closures, local factors including the "Boeing Bust", could have played a role in the downturn of the chain in the area.[citation needed][opinion] Archives about the company don’t indicate a local distribution center in the Northwest.[citation needed]

In an article published by The Seattle Times (on June 16, 1972) General Manager Walter Craig, explained that the stores had yet to make a profit in the Northwest but wanted to retool the stores for the customer base by adding more lights, widening aisles for better traffic flow, repainting the exterior of the building, and restriping the parking lots spending $250,000. The company implemented a "Friedlee" program complete with an elf like mascot to improve customer service.[102]

Three of the four closed stores were acquired by Weisfields to become Valu-Mart/Leslie's stores by the end of 1973. The grocery sections were leased to Associated Grocers. The Tacoma store had seen many ownership changes: first as a Valu-Mart/Leslie's store (acquired in February 1973),[103] later a Jafco and then a Best store (currently Michael's).[citation needed] The Burien store became the flagship store for Valu-Mart/Leslie's (currently Fred Meyer). It was acquired from White Front in February 1973.[104] The Burien location is one of the larger stores in the Fred Meyer chain. The North Seattle store became a Kmart (closed in January 2013).[105] The Everett store (appears to have remained opened until the company's complete liquidation in 1974 according to Everett Mall leasing records) was integrated into Everett Mall in 1977 to become a Bon Marché and then Macy's (Macy's recently closed the store). The Bellevue store was acquired by Valu-Mart/Leslie's in November 1973[106] and became a Fred Meyer as well. The towering store signs used for the locations remain visible at the North Seattle and Tacoma sites.

Stores built before 1970 contained a "Discount Foods" grocery store department. Safeway Inc. took ownership of the grocery section in some markets, and newer-design stores, such as those in Everett and Bellevue that were built without the arch, also did not have a grocery store.[97]

Entering the Portland market

[edit]

In 1970, the company made an attempt to expand into Oregon market at the Mall 205 in Portland, Oregon.[107] The store had its grand opening on September 19, 1970. The grand opening ceremony featured game show host Allen Ludden of Password, actress Ann B. Davis of The Brady Bunch, recording artist John Gary, and then little known singer Neil Diamond performing with the Seattle-based rock band Springfield Rifle (most store openings were promoted by Hollywood stars).[108][109] Plans were made to construct additional stores in Beaverton and Oak Grove[110] but they never materialized. The Portland store failed largely due to competition from other retailers.[opinion][citation needed]

Downfall and bankruptcy

[edit]

White Front closed their Thousand Oaks store in early November 1972.[111] Within two weeks, the company also quietly closed its Riverside store that was barely opened for 18 months and moved the entire inventory to a nearby store in San Bernardino.[112][113]

On December 13, 1972, Interstate chairman Sol Canter announced the closing of 21 of the 37 White Front stores, all of which were located in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, to eliminate $10–11 million in loses in the ill-fated of attempt preserve the remaining stores in Southern California.[114][115]

After a further 17 month struggle to rescue the floundering chain, the remaining 15 White Front discount stores and its six White Front appliance centers were finally closed after Interstate filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in May 1974.[116][117]

In their struggle to reverse their loses, the chain opened smaller "TV & Appliance Marts" that carried less variety and smaller inventory. Not much are known about these short lived stores except that they first appeared in ads in 1972 and there was a maximum of six in 1974, all located within Los Angeles County.[118]

Aftermath

[edit]

Many of the former White Front sites were quickly occupied by other retailers while other sites remained vacant for many years before they were finally bulldozed and replaced by newer structures. The search for new potential replacement tenants in some communities was hindered by the glut of vacant big store sites created by the Recession of 1969–1970. Other large retailers that closed stores in this period included G.E.M..[119]

J.C. Penney obtained four vacant former White Front sites (in Concord, Fremont, South San Francisco, and Sunnyvale) plus two vacant former G. E. M. Membership Department Stores in the San Francisco Bay Area in early 1974 to introduce their The Treasury discount chain to the West Coast.[120]

In San Diego County, FedMart purchased the lease on one of the store[121] while Two Guys purchased the leases for the other two stores in November 1974.[122] In Los Angeles County, Two Guys also acquired the site of the former Pacoima store around the same time of acquiring the two sites in San Diego.[123]

The two vacant store sites in Sacramento were refurbished and reopened as Gold Circle stores in Spring 1976.[124]

The White Front store on California Avenue in Bakersfield, California, was closed in 1973 and remained vacant for three years before Mervyn's purchased and remodeled the empty building prior to the opening of its 36th store in Bakersfield in March 1977.[125][126] Mervyn's also opened a new store 2 weeks later in another vacant San Joaquin Valley White Front store site in Fresno.[127]

The Target store in San Bernardino, California sported the archway across its facade for many years until a recent remodeling.[citation needed]

A number of independent local pharmacies continue to carry the White Front name in Costa Mesa and elsewhere, having inherited it from their former host stores, but are otherwise unrelated.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "President Is Selected By Interstate Stores". New York Times. November 9, 1968. p. 53. ProQuest 118307290.
  2. ^ "Handleman in Separation with White Front". Billboard. Vol. 86, no. 26. June 29, 1974. p. 3. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "White Front - Under the Familiar Arch". Pleasant Family Shopping (blog). September 3, 2007.
  4. ^ "White Front Stores Note 34th Birthday" (PDF). Torrance Herald. April 25, 1963. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "White Front Set to Open Ninth Store" (PDF). Torrance Herald. May 16, 1963. p. 38. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "White Front classified ad". Los Angeles Times. December 10, 1950. p. 89 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "White Front's Blackmans Gained Experience at 77th and Central". Los Angeles Times. July 16, 1961. p. D1. ProQuest 167947853 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Market Proprietor is Robbed of $180". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. February 13, 1934. p. 1. Harry Blackman operator of the White Front market at 7710 South Central avenue was robbed of $180 in checks and currency last night by a lone bandit who covered the grocer with a pistol just after he had closed the market.
  9. ^ "Swift Meat ad". May 10, 1940. p. 6. ProQuest 165041061 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "White Front Household Appliance ad". Southwest Wave. June 2, 1949. p. 15 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  11. ^ "White Front Appliance Records Sales Boom". Southwest Wave. May 22, 1952. p. 27 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  12. ^ "Easter Cheer Mailed To GIs". Southwest Wave. April 17, 1952. p. 23 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  13. ^ "White Front Stores ad". Los Angeles Daily News. April 26, 1954. p. 12 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  14. ^ "White Front Salutes the San Fernando Valley". Van Nuys Valley News. August 29, 1961. p. 45 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
  15. ^ "White Front Opens Van Nuys Unit". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 95, no. 87. October 31, 1957. p. 6. ProQuest 1523392114.
  16. ^ "Two White Front Stores Set Openings". Los Angeles Times. October 24, 1957. p. B2. ProQuest 167203078 – via newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b "Grand Opening of Valley White Front Stores Unit Slated to Begin Tomorrow". Van Nuys Daily News. Vol. 46, no. 43. October 24, 1957. p. 48 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  18. ^ Fox, Stephen (December 14, 1975). "Business risky in liquidation". North County Times. Vol. 64. p. 29 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  19. ^ "Sam Nassi: Expert in Grand Store Closings". Los Angeles Times. December 21, 1975. p. G1. ProQuest 157874208 – via newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Interstate Department Stores Acquires Los Angeles Concern". Wall Street Journal. April 28, 1959. p. 12. ProQuest 132514230. Interstate Department Stores, Inc., announced it has acquired White Front Stores, Inc., Los Angeles, a two-unit low markup operation with volume of more $20 million a year.
  21. ^ a b "Interstate Department Stores Inc". Lehman Brothers Collection, Twentieth Century Business Archives, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School. 2010.
  22. ^ White Front, Memories, Torrance High School Class of 1973. Archived December 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ "White Front Opens New Anaheim Store". Los Angeles Times. November 14, 1960. p. B8. ProQuest 167793020 – via newspapers.com. White Front Stores has opened its newest branch on Harbor Blvd. here, a half-mile south of Disneyland.
  24. ^ "White Front Opens 112,000 Sq. Ft. Store". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 101, no. 93. November 14, 1960. p. 11. ProQuest 1564868912.
  25. ^ "Store opens another new unit". Southwest Wave. Vol. 42, no. 99. December 1, 1960. p. 51 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  26. ^ "Warehouse Converted to New Store". Los Angeles Times. October 1, 1961. p. I10. ProQuest 167961836 – via newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "White Front Opens New Covina Store". Los Angeles Times. April 29, 1962. p. SG_A13. ProQuest 168101089 – via newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "White Front Opens New Covina Store". Los Angeles Times. March 11, 1962. p. P24. ProQuest 168060894 – via newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "White Front Opens Sixth Store Today". Los Angeles Times. October 18, 1962. p. B7. ProQuest 168177930 – via newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "White Front Chain Opens New S.B. Store". San Bernardino Sun. Vol. 69. October 19, 1962. p. 21 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  31. ^ "White Front Opens Store on West Side". Los Angeles Times. November 18, 1962. p. M6. ProQuest 168233193 – via newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "White Front Opens Seventh Discount Store". Valley Times. November 20, 1962. p. 21 – via newspapers.com.
  33. ^ a b "Store Gives Jobs to 200 in Torrance". Los Angeles Times. March 9, 1963. p. B5. ProQuest 168259962 – via newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "White Front ad" (PDF). Torrance Press. March 6, 1963. p. C1 – via Torrance Public Library.
  35. ^ "White Front ad" (PDF). Torrance Press. March 6, 1963. p. 13 – via Torrance Public Library.
  36. ^ "White Front's Ninth Store to Open Thursday". Los Angeles Times. May 24, 1963. p. C11. ProQuest 168297095 – via newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "White Front Sets Opening for New Canoga Park Store". Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. May 24, 1963. p. 42 – via newspapers.com.
  38. ^ a b "New Outlet Off Freeway". Oakland Tribune. Vol. 177, no. 282. October 9, 1963. p. 96 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  39. ^ "Ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening of store in California chain". Alameda Times-Star. October 14, 1963. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "White Front Store Holds Ribbon Cutting". Los Angeles Times. November 1, 1963. p. G9. ProQuest 168433770 – via newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "White Front's Grand Opening Set for Today". Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. October 31, 1963. p. 12 – via newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "White Front to Open San Jose Store Wednesday". Los Angeles Times. November 19, 1963. p. B9. ProQuest 168487678 – via newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Discount: News & Ideas". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 108, no. 101. May 21, 1964. p. 10. ProQuest 1862457131.
  44. ^ "Big White Front discount store opens in Sunnyvale". Peninsula Times Tribune. May 21, 1964. p. 6 – via newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "White Front Continues Expansion". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 1964. p. O-23 – via newspapers.com. 168640418
  46. ^ "White Front Opens Fourteenth Store". Los Angeles Sentinel. September 17, 1964. p. C11. ProQuest 564704939.
  47. ^ "Discount: News & Ideas". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 109, no. 30. August 12, 1964. p. 18. ProQuest 1565188855.
  48. ^ "Wednesday Opening Is Due For White Front". The Sacramento Bee. August 9, 1964. p. 74 – via newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Discount: News & Ideas". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 109, no. 90. November 6, 1964. p. 27. ProQuest 1565394537.
  50. ^ "White Front Opening Friday in Pleasant Hill". Contra Costa Times. Vol. 53, no. 176. November 5, 1964. p. 3 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  51. ^ "White Front Opens Outlet In Ontario". San Bernardino Sun. Vol. 71. November 19, 1964. p. 18 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  52. ^ "White Front to Open 17th Store". Oakland Tribune. Vol. 179, no. 146. May 26, 1965. p. 75 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  53. ^ "Ribbon Cutting Opens Fresno's White Front". The Fresno Bee. May 27, 1965. p. 6 – via newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "L.A. Riots Hit Stores With Fire, Terror". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 111, no. 32. August 16, 1965. pp. 1, 8. ProQuest 1862422521. The 32,000-square-foot White Front Discount Department Store at 77th and Central, the original store of the chain, was burned to the ground.
  55. ^ "17 Dead in Wake Of Wild L.A. Riot". Oakland Tribune. Vol. 179, no. 226. August 14, 1965. p. 2 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection. Grocery stores, liquor stores and pawn shops appeared favorite targets of rock-throwing looters, but big stores went up in flames, too. Several supermarkets and a large "White Front" discount department store were, razed.
  56. ^ "White Front Will Open New South Area Store". The Sacramento Bee. September 15, 1965. p. 35 – via newspapers.com.
  57. ^ "White Front Opens New Store Today". Oakland Tribune. Vol. 179, no. 315. November 11, 1965. p. 15 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  58. ^ "White Front To Open Two Stores in S.D." San Bernardino Sun. Vol. 72. November 18, 1965. p. 40 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  59. ^ "White Front Set To Open San Diego County Stores". Desert Sentinel. November 11, 1965. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
  60. ^ "Celebrities Civic Officials To Open Store". The Orange County Register. August 31, 1966. p. 114 – via newspapers.com.
  61. ^ "Newest". The Desert Sun. Vol. 40, no. 22. August 30, 1966. p. 4 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  62. ^ "Firm opens new store". Southwest Wave. Vol. 45, no. 87. November 10, 1966. p. 6 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  63. ^ "White Front Opens in Downey". Long Beach Independent. November 2, 1966. p. 100 – via newspapers.com.
  64. ^ "White Front Central Ave. Unit Rebuilt". Los Angeles Times. March 17, 1967. p. C15. ProQuest 155711263 – via newspapers.com.
  65. ^ "Pioneer firm rebuilds store". Southwest Wave. Vol. 46, no. 21. March 23, 1967. p. 35 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  66. ^ "Festivities Honor Store Reopening in Watts". Los Angeles Times. March 31, 1967. p. A3. ProQuest 155588850 – via newspapers.com.
  67. ^ "White Front Schedules Grand Opening". Southwest Wave. Vol. 46, no. 23. March 30, 1967. p. 43 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  68. ^ "White Front Closing Van Nuys Store". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 116, no. 84. April 29, 1968. p. 16. ProQuest 1565285933.
  69. ^ "White Front classified ad". Van Nuys News. April 28, 1968. p. 87 – via newspapers.com.
  70. ^ "White Front Opens New Coast Unit". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 117, no. 79. October 21, 1968. p. 17. ProQuest 1565388781.
  71. ^ "Stars Cement Friendship With White Front at Gala Opening". San Francisco Examiner. October 17, 1968. p. 64 – via newspapers.com.
  72. ^ "White Front ad". Southwest Wave. Vol. 47, no. 50. December 19, 1968. p. 13 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  73. ^ "Big Variety Simplifies Shopping". The Argus (Fremont). March 7, 1969. p. 25 – via newspapers.com.
  74. ^ "White Front Calif. Unit Will Open Thursday". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 118, no. 44. Mar 4, 1969. p. 32. ProQuest 1523640733.
  75. ^ "TV Stars To Entertain At Gala White Front Opening Today". The Argus (Fremont). March 6, 1969. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
  76. ^ "Opening Week Is Biggest In Store's History". The Argus (Fremont). March 7, 1969. p. 26 – via newspapers.com.
  77. ^ "28th White Front Store Now Open". Los Angeles Times. December 7, 1969. p. Q13. ProQuest 156439838 – via newspapers.com.
  78. ^ "White Front Grand Opening". Thousand Oaks Star. November 12, 1969. p. 40 – via newspapers.com.
  79. ^ "Unique shop opens". Southwest Journal. Vol. 32, no. 50. March 5, 1970. p. 11 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  80. ^ "New White Front Store Grand Opening Set". Los Angeles Sentinel. March 5, 1970. p. B5. ProQuest 564948084.
  81. ^ "New Store For White Front". San Mateo County Times. April 23, 1970. p. 23 – via newspapers.com.
  82. ^ "Ground Broken in 3-City Site For White Front's 30th Store". Oakland Tribune. Vol. 96, no. 234. August 22, 1963. p. 15 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  83. ^ "White Front Opens Third Unit in San Diego Area". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 120, no. 106. June 2, 1970. p. 2. ProQuest 1523635972.
  84. ^ "Chula Vista White Front store opens today". National City Star-News. Vol. 87, no. 79. May 28, 1970. p. B4 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  85. ^ "Pantry Pride opens discount market at White Front". National City Star-News. Vol. 87, no. 97. July 30, 1970. p. B5 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  86. ^ "Break Ground For New White Front". San Mateo County Times. February 19, 1970. p. 27 – via newspapers.com.
  87. ^ "$6 Million Bakersfield Shopping Center Set". Los Angeles Times. Apr 12, 1970. p. I24. ProQuest 156476674 – via newspapers.com.
  88. ^ "White Front Unit Due In Bakersfield Center". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 120, no. 71. April 13, 1970. p. 2. ProQuest 1862405322.
  89. ^ "White Front Opens 36th Coast Store". Los Angeles Times. May 30, 1971. p. E16. ProQuest 156720251 – via newspapers.com.
  90. ^ "White Front to Open Store in Long Beach". Los Angeles Times. July 25, 1971. p. I20. ProQuest 156709223 – via newspapers.com.
  91. ^ "Construction". Long Beach Independent. August 14, 1971. p. 36 – via newspapers.com.
  92. ^ "White Front ad". Vol. 68, no. 195. June 2, 1972. p. 9 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  93. ^ "White Front ad". Vol. 69, no. 28. October 11, 1972. p. 55 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  94. ^ "Ribbon-Cutting With a Flair Signals White Front Opening". The Seattle Times. October 19, 1967. p. 66.[author missing]
  95. ^ "White Front Store Opens Here Thursday". The News Tribune. October 30, 1967. p. 32 – via newspapers.com. White Front Stores Inc. opens its second and largest store in the Northwest at 10 am Thursday at 38th and Pine streets in Tacoma, Harry Epstein vice president and general manager said. The large discount department store chain selected Washington for its first expansion outside of California...
  96. ^ "Many Attend Opening Of White Front Store". The News Tribune. November 2, 1967. p. 36 – via newspapers.com. With the snip of a ribbon Tacoma's new White Front Store South 38th and Pine streets opened for business Thursday morning White new Tacoma and Seattle stores with Burien on the way mark the large discount department store first venture outside California
  97. ^ a b "Seattle Area White Front Stores". Grocerteria.com. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  98. ^ "Grand Opening Sale" (Advertisement). The Seattle Times. May 16, 1971. p. B7. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via NewsBank.
  99. ^ "Weisfield's buys White Front store". The Seattle Times. December 19, 1972. p. D5.[author missing]
  100. ^ "County posts writs against White Front". The Seattle Times. February 2, 1973. p. E6.[author missing]
  101. ^ Parks, Michael J. (December 14, 1972). "White Front stays mum on closures". The Seattle Times. p. B3.
  102. ^ "How to turn stores to profit?". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times. June 16, 1972. Retrieved 4 October 2020.[author missing][dead link]
  103. ^ Seattle Times December 19, 1972[title missing][page needed][author missing]
  104. ^ "Weisfield's may buy Burien White Front". The Seattle Times. February 6, 1973. p. D6.[author missing]
  105. ^ McNerthney, Casey (January 28, 2013). "Kmart in North Seattle to close soon: Store has been on Aurora Avenue North since 1970s". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  106. ^ Seattle Times November 11 1973[title missing][page needed][author missing]
  107. ^ The Oregonian (photo of grand opening of Mall 205 with White Front store) September 18, 1970
  108. ^ See Password episode from September 18, 1970
  109. ^ "Mall 205 Schedules 1st Grand Opening". The Oregon Journal. September 16, 1970. p. 2 – via newspapers.com. Grand opening the White Front Store, one of the major new attractions of the soon-to-be-completed Mall 205 shopping center, in Metro-East will be held Thursday, kicking off the first of three gala opening celebrations. Mall 205, located near SE 102nd Ave. and Stark St. is situated on 65 acres of land...
  110. ^ "Queen Turns First Earth for New Shopping Center". The Oregonian. June 13, 1969. p. 32 – via newspapers.com. Julian Lavitt, president of White Front, said the store in Mall 205 was the first of three facilities planned for the Portland metropolitan area. Levine said his firm was planning to construct two additional shopping center, complexes in the area, had just purchased one site in the Oak Grove area. He said two sites were under consideration in the rapidly growing Beaverton vicinity.
  111. ^ "Store seeks new jobs". Ventura County Star. October 29, 1972. p. 2 – via newspaper.com.
  112. ^ "White Front ad". San Bernardino Sun. November 17, 1972. p. 48 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  113. ^ Auerbach, Alexander (December 12, 1972). "Several White Front Closings Reported Near". Los Angeles Times. p. D9. ProQuest 157138863.
  114. ^ "White Front in PH is among those closing". Concord Transcript. Vol. 85, no. 254. December 14, 1972. p. 1 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  115. ^ Auerbach, Alexander (December 13, 1972). "Interstate Plans to Close 21 of Its 31 White Front Stores". Los Angeles Times. p. B11. ProQuest 157123954.
  116. ^ "Interstate's Chapter XI is tops in shops: Interstate Chapter XI is retailing's biggest". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 128, no. 102. May 23, 1974. pp. 1, 14. ProQuest 1627404149. Interstate also plans to dispose of its 15 remaining White Front discount stores and its six White Front appliance centers in California.
  117. ^ "White Front stores are being closed". San Bernardino Sun. June 21, 1974. p. 58 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  118. ^ "White Front ad". San Bernardino Sun. March 7, 1974. p. 75 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  119. ^ "Bankruptcy Act Petition Is Filed by Parkview-Gem". New York Times. December 20, 1973. p. 67. ProQuest 119741895.
  120. ^ "Penney's eyes San Francisco sites for 6 Treasury units". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 128, no. 78. April 22, 1974. p. 2. ProQuest 1627367544.
  121. ^ "FedMart expands to Grossmont". Chula Vista Star-News. Vol. 56, no. 81. October 10, 1974. p. 12 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  122. ^ "White Front may acquire new owner". National City Star-News. Vol. 92, no. 4. October 6, 1974 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  123. ^ "Vornodo bought three White Front stores in California". November 5, 1974. p. D8. ProQuest 157601867. Vornado bought the former discount stores and fixtures for an undisclosed price. They will be converted into Two Guys department stores and will, open for the Christmas shopping season, Vornado said. One is in Pacoima and the other two are in the San Diego area.
  124. ^ Bums, John (February 18, 1976). "Bankruptcy Blues". Sacramento Bee. p. 10.
  125. ^ "Gulf Oil office project gets okay". The Bakersfield Californian. December 16, 1976. p. 17. a Mervyn's Department Store will open March 5 in Bakersfield... The Mervyn's store will be located in the remodeled White Front building at 4450 California Avenue... grand opening for the store, which has 35 outlets in Northern California, will be held March 5. The building will be 116,800 square feet with 900 parking spaces. Boyd gave no estimate of the remodeling cost. The store has been vacant since White Front went out of business in 1973.
  126. ^ "Bakersfield Akron Store Sold to Bay Area Group". Los Angeles Times. May 25, 1980. p. 26. ProQuest 162816269.
  127. ^ "Mervyn's Chief Visits Store Opening". Fresno Bee. March 13, 1977. p. 23.
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