Silverwoods, originally promoted as F. B. Silverwood, after its founder, was a men's clothing store chain founded in Los Angeles in 1894 by Francis Bernard (F.B. "Daddy") Silverwood, a Canadian-American originally from near Lindsay, Ontario. He was a colorful character covered in the newspapers, a "songster" composer of popular songs, Shriner, and who famously married in 1920.[1]
The first F. B. Silverwood store opened on May 8, 1894 at 124 S. Spring St., carried only men's furnishings, had four employees and had sales of $38,000 (~$1.34 million in 2023) that year. Silverwood then moved to a larger location at 221 S. Spring St. The flagship store was established in 1904 at Sixth & Broadway. In 1920 the store removed to temporary quarters at 320 S. Broadway while the old store was demolished starting January 26, 1920. A new 115,420 sq ft (10,723 m2) six-floor store was built on the site of the old one at 6th and Broadway. The new store opened September 1, 1920.[2] It closed in 1974 shortly after Silverwoods opened a new downtown store in Broadway Plaza (now The Bloc Los Angeles) on Seventh Street.[3]
Upon opening in 1920 the flagship had the following departments:[4]
- 1st floor, hats and furnishings
- 2nd floor, suits and overcoats
- 3rd floor, boys' clothing
- 4th floor, storeroom
- 5th floor, general offices and alterations
- Basement, outing and work clothes; gloves
The company incorporated in November 1920. At that time there were four branches (Long Beach, Bakersfield, Maricopa and San Bernardino)[5] plus the flagship. F. B. Silverwood died in March 1924. In later decades the store was purchased by Hartmarx and focused on business suits until the end, later becoming out of sync with clothing preferences of Southern California men.
By 1992 when the chain closed, Silverwoods had grown to an eighteen store chain with branches across Greater Los Angeles.[6]
Stores
editIn 1973, Silverwoods branches were located at:[7]
References
edit- ^ "Daddy Silverwood to Wed". Los Angeles Times. November 25, 1920. p. Part II Page 1.
- ^ "Magnificent Pile That Now Graces Broadway Corner". Los Angeles Times. August 31, 1920. p. 9.
- ^ a b "Closing Silverwoods original store after 70 years at this location (advertisement)". Los Angeles Times. May 16, 1974. p. 7. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Silverwoods Now Has Dream Store". Los Angeles Express. August 31, 1920.
- ^ "F. B. Silverwood's Five Stores Are Now in Corporation". Long Beach Telegram. November 30, 1920.
- ^ "Silverwoods to Close Doors After 70 Years : Retailing: The chain of 18 stores cites lagging sales and increasing costs". 17 September 1991.
- ^ "Advertisement for Silverwoods". Los Angeles Times. December 3, 1973.
- ^ "Silverwoods to Open New Store Friday". Los Angeles Times. April 3, 1949.
- ^ "New Broadway Panorama City Store Opens". Los Angeles Times.