Haggarty's

Haggarty's was a department store chain founded in Los Angeles in 1906 and which closed in May 1970 due to not keeping up with fashion trends and a resulting $4.4 million in debts.[1] It had more than a dozen branches at its peak.

The chain was founded by J. J. Haggarty (1860–1935) who opened his first store the "New York Cloak and Suit House" in 1906. After opening three more stores on Broadway between 3rd and 6th streets, he finally opened his "vision", a large "uptown" Los Angeles store, at the southeast corner of W. Seventh St. and Grand Avenue, this time under the name J.J. Haggarty Inc.[2][1]

After Mr. Haggarty's death the chain was bought by Clyde H. DeAcres, who had been president of Sherman, Clay and Co. in San Francisco, retailers of musical instruments.[3] In 1938, DeAcres opened a four-story branch store in Beverly Hills on Wilshire Boulevard near Rodeo Drive.[2]

At the time of the chain's demise the principal owner was Mrs. Lila M. Ash, the wife of Roy Ash, the president of Litton Industries, a large defense contractor. She had invested about $9.5 million in Haggarty's.

Branches

Shortly before bankruptcy in 1970, the chain operated locations in Beverly Hills (the lease on which was acquired by Roos-Atkins), Palm Springs, Downey, Canoga Park, and four Hafter's-Haggarty's shops in the San Diego area.

Mansions

Mr. Haggarty built a mansion in the West Adams district of Los Angeles at 3330 West Adams Blvd., and a 32-room Mediterranean-style, $750,000 summer home (1928) on the Palos Verdes Peninsula at 415 Paseo del Mar, near Malaga Cove, with lawns and gardens designed by the Olmsted Brothers and furnishings from Italy.[4]

References
  1. Auerbach, Alexander (27 May 1970). "J.J. Haggarty Dress Chain Forced Out of Business by Debt". Los Angeles Times. p. 56 (part III Business & Finance, p.1). Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  2. "J.J. Haggarty Growth Laid to Enterprise". Los Angeles Times. 10 November 1940. p. 67 (Part IV Society, p.9).
  3. "Clay Interests Retire from Firm". The San Francisco Examiner. 30 June 1932. p. 24.
  4. Gnerre, Sam (7 April 2018). "Haggerty's is a popular South Bay surfing spot. But who was Haggerty? - South Bay History". Daily Breeze (Torrance, California). Retrieved 23 April 2019.
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