White Front Metal Sign
7" x 5" (Horizontal) / 0.12''
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
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GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Bring a recognizable name from western retail history into your space. White Front began as a small Los Angeles market in 1929 and developed into a discount chain with stores across California, Washington, and Oregon. Its changing story included groceries, appliances, department-store goods, rapid expansion, and the later reuse of many former locations by other retailers. This metal sign celebrates the chain’s place in regional shopping history and speaks to collectors drawn to memorable store architecture and the stories behind familiar commercial landmarks.
White Front began in 1929 as Harry Blackman’s small White Front Market on South Central Avenue in Florence, Los Angeles. Starting with groceries, the business added radios and household appliances, then opened a major-appliance shop after Blackman returned from military service following World War II. By 1954 it was known as White Front Stores, with a broader range of goods. A second store opened in Van Nuys in 1957. Interstate Department Stores acquired the two-store chain in April 1959 and financed rapid expansion across California. White Front later opened stores in Washington, beginning in Seattle in 1967, and in Portland, Oregon, in 1970. At its mid-1972 peak, the chain had 37 stores in three states. Interstate announced in December 1972 that 21 stores would close; the remaining discount stores and appliance centers closed after Interstate sought Chapter 11 reorganization in May 1974. Former locations passed to a range of retailers, including Valu-Mart/Leslie’s, J.C. Penney’s The Treasury, Gold Circle, and Mervyn’s. Some independent pharmacies retained the White Front name, but were unrelated to the former chain.
White Front Metal Sign
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
Bring a recognizable name from western retail history into your space. White Front began as a small Los Angeles market in 1929 and developed into a discount chain with stores across California, Washington, and Oregon. Its changing story included groceries, appliances, department-store goods, rapid expansion, and the later reuse of many former locations by other retailers. This metal sign celebrates the chain’s place in regional shopping history and speaks to collectors drawn to memorable store architecture and the stories behind familiar commercial landmarks.
White Front began in 1929 as Harry Blackman’s small White Front Market on South Central Avenue in Florence, Los Angeles. Starting with groceries, the business added radios and household appliances, then opened a major-appliance shop after Blackman returned from military service following World War II. By 1954 it was known as White Front Stores, with a broader range of goods. A second store opened in Van Nuys in 1957. Interstate Department Stores acquired the two-store chain in April 1959 and financed rapid expansion across California. White Front later opened stores in Washington, beginning in Seattle in 1967, and in Portland, Oregon, in 1970. At its mid-1972 peak, the chain had 37 stores in three states. Interstate announced in December 1972 that 21 stores would close; the remaining discount stores and appliance centers closed after Interstate sought Chapter 11 reorganization in May 1974. Former locations passed to a range of retailers, including Valu-Mart/Leslie’s, J.C. Penney’s The Treasury, Gold Circle, and Mervyn’s. Some independent pharmacies retained the White Front name, but were unrelated to the former chain.
| 7" x 5" (Horizontal) | |
| Width, in | 7.00 |
| Height, in | 5.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.12 |
Product features
- 100% white aluminum composite — strong, rigid, and lightweight
- Matte full-color print on one side for crisp, non-reflective finish
- Eleven sizes available; horizontal, vertical, and square orientations
- Includes one mounting block, metal plate, and double-sided tape; customer assembly required
- Indoor use only — durable for interior displays
Care instructions
- Use non-abrasive, non-ammonium based products for cleaning. Dish soap with warm water is only recommended for spot cleaning.