Buffums

It was also known for its "Bag-A-Bargain" promotion that placed actual shopping bags (printed with a discount offer) in local newspapers.

[citation needed] Like other local department stores of the era, Buffums was challenged by old-fashioned business models, changing consumer tastes, and the arrival of Seattle-based retailer Nordstrom.

Schilling & Sons dry goods store opened in 1892 at the corner of 2nd and Pine in Long Beach.

By 1902 they were located at the Stafford Block, 127–129 Pine Avenue, and described as a "commodious", 6,250 sq ft (581 m2) "department store", "embracing a complete line of dress goods ladies and gents furnishings, clothing, shoes, hats and caps, blankets, comforts, etc".. That same year the father William retired and the firm became Schilling Bros.[5] In 1904, a partnership bought the Schilling Bros. business for $65,000 (~$1.72 million in 2023); the partners were Charles and Edwin Buffum arrived from Illinois, and local businessmen S. Townsend, W. L. Porterneld and C. J. Walter.

[40] According to the buffumstores Facebook site, they re-launched in a small specialty format in October 2015, located in the Belmont Shore neighborhood of Long Beach.