2011 CC SA-BY Our Oakland
The I. Magnin Building, located at 2001 Broadway in Downtown Oakland, is the site of the Bay Area's second I. Magnin store, the first being in San Francisco. Designed by Weeks and Day, the art deco store was completed in 1931 and is known for its green terra cotta siding and first-story facade of verd antique serpentine rock from a quarry in Rochester, Vermont. 4
In 1876 Mary Ann and Isaac opened their first small shop at the corner of 15th Street and San Pablo Avenue in Oakland selling notions and Mary Ann's handmade baby items. Using a woman's name for a business was not common then, so Isaac's name was used.
The Oakland store opened Monday, March 2, 1931. Both the Oakland Post Enquirer and the Oakland Tribune had multi-page spreads with articles, photos, and congratulatory ads from other businesses. 1,2
Mayor Davie took part in the opening ceremony, and a special dinner was held by the chamber of commerce at the Leamington Hotel to welcome the store to Oakland. 3
1931 ad 1
1931 3
2011 CC SA-BY Our Oakland
Links and References
- Oakland's former I. Magnin building goes from almost empty to nearly full, San Francisco Business Times October 14, 2013
- A Store to Remember by James Thomas Mullane, San Ramon, Ca., Falcon Books, 2007
- Magnin's to Open New Store to Public Monday Oakland Post Enquirer February 28, 1931 (p2, p3)
- Magnin's New Store Opens Tomorrow Oakland Tribune March 1, 1931 (p2, p3)
- I. Magnin's New Store Opened With Ceremony Oakland Tribune March 2, 1931
- Oakland Building Stones: Verd Antique Oakland Geology blog September 5, 2016
