When Reagan went to Buffums'
An anonymous (why? why?) reader writes:
"Your Jan. 2 column with nostalgic reminiscences of the Pomona/Ontario area was fascinating. I was pleased that Mr. Ruh included Buffums' in his list of once-upon-a-time stores; however, Buffums' was much more than white-gloved ladies having tea in the Palomares Room.
"Ronald Reagan visited Buffums' in the fall of 1965 to promote his book 'Where's the Rest of Me?' Elizabeth Taylor dropped in to buy travel tickets, taking time from filming scenes from 'The Sandpiper' in San Dimas. Jacqueline Kennedy assigned someone to select and send a gift to an acquaintance in Claremont. Mrs. Groucho Marx purchased children's clothes on occasion.
"Oh yes, Buffums' was the best of the best. And I am sure other former employees have more tales of this magical store. This, of course, is from a former Buffums' employee."
Nice of you to write, Former. He/she enclosed a photocopy of the Reagan book's title page, inscribed as follows: "With gratitude for a pleasant afternoon & Best Wishes, Ronald Reagan."
Buffums' was a classy SoCal department store chain -- motto: "Southern California's Most Gifted Store" -- and the Nordstrom of its day.
It was owned by the same family that produced Dorothy Buffum Chandler, without whom we wouldn't have the Music Center in downtown L.A. The Pomona store was built in 1962 on Palomares Street between Second and Third streets by architect Welton Becket (who also designed the Music Center...hmm). It marked the east end of the brand-new pedestrian mall.
Charles Phoenix's book -- you've already ordered a copy, right? -- has a full page on Buffums'. He describes the ornate interior in some detail. The store held on despite downtown's long decline, finally closing circa 1991, and as Phoenix notes, "the decorative furnishings were sold to the highest bidder."
The building was extensively remodeled and now is part of the Western University of Health Sciences, an osteopathic medical school.
Have memories of Buffums'? Share them below..
I remember the wonderful Santa Claus who was at the Pomona Buffums' for several years in the late '60s and early '70s. My son was a small child and going there at Christmas time to visit Santa was a special event for all of us. No other "Santa" could ever compare, then or now.
Buffums' was my first job. I worked there through the ROP (Regional Occupational Program) as a high school student. In addition to earning a good hourly wage, I enjoyed working in various departments and meeting both employees and customers. They gave me really good training and a solid foundation to build on for my future employment.
[Thanks, Renee. -- DA]
Ah, Buffums'...when it closed (along with the whole chain, I believe), it was the end of an era for downtown Pomona. Even to the end, in the Buffums' store one could sense the optimistic vision that the city leaders of the early 1960s had for the Pomona Mall and the entire downtown. The feel of the store was akin to that which can still be experienced in the Pomona civic center and the Washington Mutual bank building (Home Savings).
One of the noteworthy parts of the Pomona Buffums' was the Palomares Room restaurant, on the second floor on the west side. Even when most of the Mall was derelict and essentially abandoned, I remember that the Palomares Room would be packed at lunch time.
The entrance to the restaurant from the store proper was framed with fanciful open ironwork, with birds (of iron) perched on the artful leaves and branches. The floor of the entrance area was, I believe, of travertine marble, with a large medallion in the center comprised of colored marble, and forming a letter "p."
Along the walls of the dining room was a long running benchseat, overstuffed and covered in a sort of satin.
The most notable decorative feature of the restaurant was the mural which spanned the entire west wall (seen straight ahead as you entered). It was one of Millard Sheets' works, and I have heard that it was saved when Western University gutted the building for use as one of its campus buildings. Does anyone know what became of this Sheets work of art?
Finally, I thought it might be of interest to note that there are still several Millard Sheets murals extant in the Pomona Valley. The ones that I know of are located in the Washington Mutual building in Pomona, and in the PFF Bank & Trust buildings in Pomona (Main branch), Claremont and Upland (Foothill).
[Tad, good work on this, especially the Palomares Room description. -- DA]
My grandmother sold children's shoes at Buffums' for many years. I spent a lot of time in the store over the years. I remember buying my first pair of bell bottoms in the men's department. They shrank about 3 inches the first time they were washed. Last pair of pants I bought from there. I must have paid close to 10 bucks. Big money back then.
[For some reason I'm now thinking of the classic Derek and the Dominoes song "Bell Bottom Blues." -- DA]
My favorite memories of Buffums was the french dip in the restaurant. Never had one as good since. Also as a little girl I loved the mint sticks covered in chocolate.
I remember the Buffums of Pomona - a truly fond memory.........Does anyone remember the little "tram" (long golf cart with benches) that used to take you from one end of the mall to the other for 10 cents? I miss those days..........then after the fun filled days at the mall - you could hop on your bike and get a "Taylor-Made" do-nut on the corner of palomares and mission streets -------- from Michael age 46
[That "tram" sounds like a nice touch. -- DA]