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1922 5

Reich and Lièvre ("say Rich and Lee-avre" 2 or "Rich and Lee-ā-ver" 3 according to different ads) was a California chain of women's clothing stores, with a presence in Oakland from 1916 to 1927.

The chain was started by Maurice Reich and George Lievre in San Francisco in 1913 as the New York Cloak and Suit House. 7 By 1916, there was a shop at 1212 Washington St. in Oakland. 1 According to Wikipedia, Reich bought out Lievre in 1920. 4 In 1922, a new, larger store was opened at 1530 Broadway in the newly constructed Capwell Building. William Knowles was the architect. 5

A 1920 ad lists stores in Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego. 3

The company went out of business in 1927, and the Broadway store was taken over by another women's clothing store, the House of Bedell. 6

1916 11917 21922excerpt of 1925 photo
courtesy Tim Sanchez

Links and References

  1. ad Oakland Tribune August 7, 1916
  2. ad Oakland Tribune April 8, 1917
  3. ad Oakland Tribune December 15, 1920
  4. Reich and Lièvre on Wikipedia
  5. Coast's Finest Store—Reich and Lievre—Is Ready Oakland Tribune March 31, 1922
  6. House of Bedell Opens Oakland Unit Tomorrow Oakland Tribune February 25, 1927
  7. New Suits, Filings, etc. San Francisco Examiner April 15, 1913
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