UPDATE:
Joe Levy, one of the family members behind the Gottschalks department store chain, is opening a new retail operation that will be called Gottschalk by Joe Levy, according to a news release issued today. The original Gottschalks dissolved in bankruptcy proceedings last year. (Levy has dropped the final "S" in his company's name to avoid any name infringement problems. So it is officially Gottschalk by Joe Levy, but I'll bet everyone will say Gottschalks.)
A news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday to reveal the details of Levy's new retail venture. Levy, 78, was the former Gottschalks chairman and CEO.
Here's a statement from Levy via the news release announcing the news conference:
"The Gottschalk name has always stood for outstanding customer service, value and name brand fashions. We are committed to continuing that tradition," said Levy.
The Fresno-based Gottschalks lasted 105 years before going bankrupt. Gottschalks had operated 58 department stores and three specialty apparel stores in six Western states.
It is unclear so far what kind of operation Levy's plans will bring. But with the economy picking up, it could be a good time to move cautiously back into the retail market. Levy said the new Gottschalks will create hundreds of jobs.
It would be good for San Joaquin Valley shopping malls if the empty Gottschalks spaces could be used by the Levy venture. Those spaces often were the anchor stores at the malls. Some of them were snatched up by Macy's and Forever 21, but others sit empty. The Gottschalks locations at Fashion Fair in Fresno and Sierra Vista in Clovis remain empty. However, Forever 21 has leased the Fashion Fair space and is expected to open there this year.
Gottschalks was a publicly traded company and faced Wall Street pressures as well as a declining economy. The other problem was that it got caught not knowing exactly what it wanted to be. At times, it seemed to favor the Wal-Mart/Target model with value at a low price and at other times it tried to compete with the high-end department stores. At the end, it could do neither.
Levy, with five decades of retail experience, understands this market and should be able to perform, especially when he won't be hindered by the "corporate Gottschalks" decision-making structure of its last CEO, James Famalette. It will be interesting to see Levy's concept, which is to be unveiled Tuesday.
My guess is Levy will go back to what made Gottschalks a Valley brand: Good merchandise at a good price, with good service. That part of the retail sector is wide open.
That sounds too good to be true. I hope the Clovis store re-opens. With the addition of Kohls in the old Mervyn's building the Mall would be revitalized. Yippee
I agree, let us hope it is not too good to be true. I was mentioning to my daughter yesterday how much I missed Gottschalks.
He should just call it Levys. Hopefully he can get back in the empty spaces and service people that kept Gottschals going for so long.
It was fun with Macy's for awhile but I miss Gottschalks unique brands, type of clothes for their client base and sales. Kohl's just
doesn't cut it. Please come to Visalia.
I heard Oakhurst mentioned as one of the possible sites for re-opening. Yes, please! Gottschalks was our one and only department store and since it closed, there has been a huge void in that kind of shopping here.
Oh please come back to Oakhurst,ca. We all loved and miss this store. It was the only place to shop other than go to Fresno. HELP we want you back!!!
As much as I would love to see Gottschalks return to klamth Falls, I'm thrilled to see it make a come back. It was a great place to shop and to work at as well.
This is really a good sign. I am pleased to see the store coming back. When I see how many businesses are hanging on to a hope and a prayer, this ones shines for Fresno!
I hope that they reopen the store in Palmdale CA.
Iam trilled that many will get there jobs back! I worked for Gottschalks before they closed & I loved working there!! I worked in the mens department and had so much fun helping all my customers find clothing for weddings, proms, dates etc =] Hearing the news by a stranger that Gottscalks is re-opening I laughed! I said "no way thats a rumor!" But then I heard it agian from a second source and I just had to find out the truth! I was so happy that I cried! I know many former coworkers who after a year later havent found jobs. :'/ I just pray that Gottscalks thrives this time around.
I had worked for Gottschalks in Victorville California from 11/11/96 to 7/10/2009.To the last day. I had worked there for 14 years and learned so much as well as enjoyed every day with the customer's i had grown to know and love.Gottschalks was my secant home you could say because working for the same company for that long in the same place,you get to know your customer's and co workers at a more personal level.This was also the was the way Gottschalks installed in us,that we were to know the needs of the customer's.
Now when i leave the house for my own shopping after almost a year being laid off,i still run into my customer's asking me questions regarding there skin care concerns, and like I have been taught by Gottschalks,I'm still giving them my addvice.LOL.Old habits are had to brake.
I truly believe that if this is to be true,if Gottschalks was to make a comeback,There is going to be happy family's out there to know that they will be able to visit there family store again.
Wow, I couldnt believe it either when i first heard the new from my friend and co-worker Arlene. I am so happy that Gottschalk is coming back. All our customers were so sad when we closed the Victorville store, and none too happy they would have to go down the hill for merchandise they were used to. I hope I can get a job there again, it was the first job I truly enjoyed going to. How many people can say that?
Enjoyed shopping at the Gottschalks in Fresno,I now live in Northern Ca. Even after I moved the clerks in Este Lauder processed my cosmetic orders to me here. They were so gracious and willing to please. I miss them-wish Mr. Levy would open a store up here. Thanks BJ
i worked for klamath falls gottschalks for 7 years loved every minute of it not only for the wonderful friends i made working there but for the awesome customers witch some of them i still see to this day. yes we want gottschalks back in klamath falls
Miss Gottschalks, and so hope the Reno store will reopen. Would love to see an opening in my area - Walnut Creek, Danville, Alamo or San Ramon.
I first shopped at Gottschalks/Fresno in 1978 & loved it. We then moved to Ventura & eventually to Redlands & was thrilled when they opened in San Bernardino close to where I worked. My friends & I all loved that store & miss it emensly. I really hope that you will consider reopening there. (The store in Inland Center Mall is still vacant).
My friends have asked me to write in the hope that the Gottchalk dept. store in Santa Rosa will reopen. I heard a rumor that maybe it will.
We all miss Gottchalks. My husband liked the clothes they had to offer for men. My favorite clothes are from Gottchalks.
I miss the store very much; the children's clothing dept. the home dept. with dishes, etc.
I do hope the Santa Rosa store will re-open.
Hey! The Antioch Gottschalks Building is still empty,Joe my desk is still sitting on the loading dock,I bet I could round up the Antioch Receiving Dept Crew. "we were the best"
Come On lets get those trucks rolling and get the merchandise processed.
Joe contact me @ robertweder@att.net
Thanks,
Robert Weder
Receiving Dept Manager
Gottschalk By Joe Levy
Store #015
I was employed on 10/09/2000 to 6/29/2009, and worked the very last day when we locked the doors for the final time. "HEARTBREAKER"
My roll was; receiving inbound trucks, shipping outbound trucks, processing merchandise, carry outs for the customers, rememeber our four star service, we really took pride in our customers.
I was the guy outside watering the plants, washing the building, sidewalks, trimming tree's and keeping the exterior as well as the interior clean and maintained for our customers, not because it was part of my job, but because its really was mine and the customers home away from home.
I knew this building inside and out, and even now I want to stop and water the tree's.
Robert Weder.