Quote:
Originally Posted by BifRayRock
Bullocks may have been a virtual trailblazer by building as far west as Westmoreland, but others eventually saw the same light, e.g., Magnin's $3,000,000 "taj" at 3240 Wilshire. In Magnin's shadow, was Switzer's at 3250 Wilshire. Walter Switzer evidently started out at 2118 West 7th Street, before packing the covered wagon and moving to where the mighty Wilshire meets the New Hampshire (Avenue). However, Switzer's evidently predated Magnin's by 7 or more years since it was listed in '32, but not in '29. (Magnin's apparently dates from '39) Walter S's Flintridge residence must have been a long commute - even if it was not all bumper to bumper traffic on Vermont.
 http://jpg1.lapl.org/00101/00101658.jpg
Switzer had a nicely appointed interior, but not much merchandise - at least in these pictures! Hard to glimpse what was across the street.
Guessing this was early '30s.
 http://catalog.library.ca.gov/exlibr...9EG3B65UCF.jpg
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Switzer's interiors reflect a more civilized time when "upscale" stores tried very hard not to look like clearance warehouses (as all stores do today). Interiors of Magnin's or Bullocks Wilshire of the same era would reflect the same aesthetic. In the really elegant departments, you would have found even less merchandise on display. Customers would be referred to a salesperson, who would seat them and bring clothing out, sometimes worn by models, for their review. I very much prefer that to the experience of today, when there is precious little difference between the experience one has at Neiman's and the experience one has at Sears. No 365-day-a-year sales either, which meant people were far more likely to purchase at retail. In today's world, it's no wonder so much shopping is done on the internet.