Diamond's

Diamond's
FormerlyThe Boston Store (1897-1947)
Company typePublic
IndustryRetail
Founded1897
FoundersNathan and Isaac Diamond
Defunct1984 (Acquired By Dillards)
HeadquartersPhoenix, Arizona
Number of locations
12 (1984)
Area served
Southwestern US
Key people
Nathan and Isaac Diamond
ProductsClothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products
ParentRoberts Brothers (1957-1968), Dayton-Hudson Corporation (1968-1984)

Diamond's was a department store chain headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona that operated from 1897-1984. Originally named The Boston Store,[1] it was founded by brothers Nathan and Isaac Diamond

History

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Logo timeline

The Boston Store was founded in 1897 by brothers Nathan and Isaac Diamond, Jewish immigrants who had in 1891 begun a dry-goods mercantile in El Paso called The New York Store. Hearing of great potential in Arizona the brothers moved to Phoenix.[1] They set up a store on Washington Street in Downtown Phoenix. by 1941 the Diamond brothers had enlisted the help of family to run the store. Nathan's sons Harold and Bert and Isaac's son Herbert were all involved with management of the store.[2] The Boston Store was renamed Diamond's in 1947 in honor of the store's 50th anniversary. Harold and Ralph Diamond eventually took over ownership. Roberts Brothers of Portland, Oregon purchased Diamond's in 1957.[3] That same year the store opened its first branch location at Park Central Mall, the building on Washington Street was subsequently closed.[4] In 1962 the firm considered expanding into the Tucson market but would hold off on doing so until 1974.[5] In 1968 Diamond's was sold to Dayton Corporation of Minneapolis.[6] In 1970 Diamond's acquired Las Vegas based Ronzone's and converted its store at The Boulevard Mall to a Diamond's.[7] On January 14, 1984 Diamond's consolidated its operations in Mesa by closing its Tri-City Mall location due to its close proximity to the newer Fiesta Mall location.[8] Diamond's had expanded to twelve stores throughout the Southwest when in September 1984 then owner, Dayton-Hudson Corporation, sold the chain to Dillard's.[5][9]

Locations

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The locations of the former Diamond's department stores.[10] The Original Flagship Store on Washington Street operated from 1897-1957.

Mall Location Opened Subsequent use
Park Central Mall Phoenix, AZ August 25, 1957[11] Converted to Dillard's, now medical offices
Thomas Mall Phoenix, AZ September 23, 1963[12] Converted to Dillard's, later demolished
Tri-City Mall Mesa, AZ August 7, 1969[13] Closed January 14, 1984, later demolished
The Boulevard Mall Las Vegas, NV 1968 as Ronzone's, 1970 as Diamond's Converted to Dillard's
Metrocenter Mall Phoenix, AZ October 1, 1973[14] Converted to Dillard's then Dillard's Clearance, now vacant
Scottsdale Fashion Square Scottsdale, AZ Spring 1974 Converted to Dillard's then Sears, now Macy's
Park Place Mall Tucson, AZ August 5, 1974[15] Converted to Dillard's later demolished and replaced with new Dillard's
Meadows Mall Las Vegas, NV 1978 Converted to Dillard's, now Dillard's Clearance on upper level and Curacao on lower level.
Paradise Valley Mall Phoenix, AZ February 1, 1979[16] Converted to Dillard's then Sears, later demolished
Fiesta Mall Mesa, AZ July 4, 1980[17] Converted to Dillard's then Dillard's Clearance, later demolished
Fashion Show Mall Las Vegas, NV February 14, 1981 Converted to Dillard's, now Forever 21
Tucson Mall Tucson, AZ July 30, 1981 Now Dillard's
Desert Sky Mall Phoenix, AZ December 1981 Converted to Dillard's, now Dillard's Clearance

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Diamond Family of Phoenix, The Boston Store & Diamond's Department Store – JMAW – Jewish Museum of the American West". www.jmaw.org. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  2. ^ "Arizona Republic 16 Apr 1941, page Page 21". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  3. ^ "Arizona Republic 06 Feb 1957, page Page 14". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  4. ^ "Arizona Republic 03 Feb 1957, page Page 9". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  5. ^ a b "Tucson Citizen 09 Aug 1984, page 54". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  6. ^ "Arizona Republic 07 May 1968, page Page 6". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  7. ^ "The Minneapolis Star 21 Jan 1970, page Page 35". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  8. ^ "Diamond's to close Tri-City Mall outlet". Arizona Republic. 1984-01-06. p. 79. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  9. ^ "Arizona Republic 10 Aug 1984, page Page 91". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  10. ^ BAK. "Diamond's, Phoenix, Arizona". Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  11. ^ "Arizona Republic 25 Aug 1957, page Page 83". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  12. ^ "Arizona Republic 22 Sep 1963, page Page 3". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  13. ^ "Arizona Republic 04 Aug 1969, page Page 29". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  14. ^ "Metrocenter Mall". Arizona Republic. 1973-09-30. p. 98. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  15. ^ "Park Mall Addition Diamonds". Arizona Daily Star. 1974-08-04. p. 29. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  16. ^ "Gonzales Architect of Paradise Valley Diamond's Store". Arizona Republic. 1979-01-07. p. 52. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  17. ^ "The best things in life are found in Mesa and Tempe..." Arizona Republic. 1980-07-03. p. 21. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
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