White Front

An urban legend claimed that the name White Front was said{{according to whom|date=September 2024|reason=Urban myth???}} to refer to the practice of lining up appliances (so-called "white goods") like washers, dryers and stoves in front of the store, giving it a "white front." Another feature of each store was that each had a separate key booth located in the parking lot.{{cite web |url=http://pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com/2007/09/under-familiar-arch_8544.html |title=White Front - Under the Familiar Arch |website=Pleasant Family Shopping (blog) |date=September 3, 2007 |author=}}{{Failed verification|date=May 2024|reason=The Pleasant Family Shopping does not mention either the key booth or the practice of lining up major appliances in front of the store.}}{{original research inline|date=May 2024|reason=Unless a RELIABLE citation could be found that describe these practices, I believe that this is just a piece of fiction inserted by a vandal.}}

In 1929, the company was founded and opened its first store at 7651 S. Central Avenue in Florence, South Los Angeles{{cite news |url=http://libarch.torranceca.gov/archivednewspapers/Herald/1963%20March%2028%20-%20July%2021/PDF/00000322.pdf |title=White Front Stores Note 34th Birthday |newspaper=Torrance Herald |date=April 25, 1963 |page=8 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017094929/http://www.torranceca.gov/archivednewspapers/Herald/1963%20March%2028%20-%20July%2021/PDF/00000322.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |access-date=September 27, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://libarch.torranceca.gov/archivednewspapers/Herald/1963%20March%2028%20-%20July%2021/PDF/00000580.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017094926/http://www.torranceca.gov/archivednewspapers/Herald/1963%20March%2028%20-%20July%2021/PDF/00000580.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |title=White Front Set to Open Ninth Store |newspaper=Torrance Herald |date=May 16, 1963 |page=38 |author= |access-date=September 27, 2024 |url-status=live}} In 1950 it expanded this store. In a 1950 advertisement, the company tongue-in-cheek explained that its lone location was in a "low rent area".{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55966833/white-front-expansion/ |title=White Front classified ad |date=December 10, 1950 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=89 |via=newspapers.com}}

White Front traced its origin to the opening of a small Los Angeles self-service grocery store on Central Avenue near 77th Street by a 23-year redhead named Harry Blackman just a few weeks before the stock market crash of 1929. Blackman had worked in the food store business for several years by working through various positions up to store manager before he decided he wanted to start his own business. He opened the White Front Market, named after the color of the store front, on Central with $200 cash and $10,000 credit with wholesalers. He tried to carry items that his customers wanted and tried to help his customers by allowing his customers to pay for their groceries on credit until they received their relief checks.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/161442730/ |title=White Front's Blackmans Gained Experience at 77th and Central |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=D1 |date=July 16, 1961 |id={{ProQuest|167947853}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} A 1934 article in the Los Angeles Evening Post-Record showed that Blackman's grocery store, White Front Market, was located at 7710 South Central Avenue{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678446097/ |title=Market Proprietor is Robbed of $180

|newspaper=Los Angeles Evening Post-Record |page=1 |date=February 13, 1934 |url-access=subscription |quote=Harry Blackman operator of the White Front market at 7710 South Central avenue was robbed of $180 in checks and currency last night by a lone bandit who covered the grocer with a pistol just after he had closed the market.}} and a 1940 ad in the Los Angeles Times also showed the market was still at the same address six years later.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385433672/ |title=Swift Meat ad |page=6 |date=May 10, 1940 |id={{ProQuest|165041061}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

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At first, the small store did not sell non-food items such as small tube radios. His initial foray happened purely by accident. A radio salesman that he knew came into the store one day and asked Blackman if he can help him sell some small portable radios in his store that were priced at $9.95 by having Blackman display the radios near the cash register. The radios were not selling at all at the list price until a woman offered to purchase one on credit by paying $0.50 down and then $0.50 per week until the radio was paid off. Blackman was able to sell the rest of the radios to several other customers under the same terms. Later, another customer offered to purchase the same radio for $8 in cash. Under the new cash terms, Blackman found out that he could that he could sell even more radios at a quicker rate while still making a small profit on each radio. He later branched out and start selling other small household appliances in his grocery store, such as toasters and steam irons. This side business continued until the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 when consumer goods production was halted as US factories switched over to the production of war-related goods to supply the armed forces. Blackman himself was drafted into the army in 1943. Blackman's wife Lillian continue to operate the grocery until his return after the war.

After Blackman returned from the Army, Blackman opened a major appliance store across the street from the grocery at 7657 S. Central Avenue called White Front Household Appliance.{{cite web |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SWLA19490602-02.1.15&srpos=7&e=------194-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front+household%22-------# |title=White Front Household Appliance ad |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=31 |number=45 |page=15 |date=June 2, 1949 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} His new store sold large appliances sch as refrigerators, washers, and televisions in addition to small appliances such as mixers, toasters, and radios. Gradually, his store slowly expanded down the block to occupy most of the neighboring store fronts on Central.{{cite web |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SWLA19520522.1.27&srpos=2&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front+household%22-------# |title=White Front Appliance Records Sales Boom |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=34 |number=42 |page=27 |date=May 22, 1952 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} When the store expanded to the end of the block, the store shorten its name to White Front Appliance and the official address was changed to 7651 S. Central Avenue.{{cite web |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SWLA19520417.1.23&srpos=1&e=------195-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front+appliance%22+blackman-------# |title=Easter Cheer Mailed To GIs |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=34 |number=32 |page=23 |date=April 17, 1952 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} By 1954, the company changed its name to White Front Stores and started to carry other items besides appliances such as furniture, jewelry, carpeting, luggage, cameras, and silverware.{{cite web |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DNLA19540426.1.12&srpos=4&e=------195-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+jewelry-------# |title=White Front Stores ad |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News |page=12 |date=April 26, 1954 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

White Front opened its second store in October 1957 at 16040 Sherman Way in Van Nuys. The new store, at 50,000-square-foot, was larger than the original store on Central.{{cite news |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/van-nuys-valley-news/1961-08-29/page-45 |title=White Front Salutes the San Fernando Valley |newspaper=Van Nuys Valley News |date=August 29, 1961 |page=45 |author= |url-access=subscription |via=NewspaperArchive.com}}{{cite news |title=White Front Opens Van Nuys Unit |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=95 |issue=87 |page=6 |date=October 31, 1957 |id={{ProQuest|1523392114}} |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/381242840/ |title=Two White Front Stores Set Openings |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=B2 |date=October 24, 1957 |id={{ProQuest|167203078}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Celebrities attending the grand opening included Bozo the Clown and Engineer Bill.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DNVN19571024.1.48&srpos=1&e=------195-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+van+nuys----1957---# |title=Grand Opening of Valley White Front Stores Unit Slated to Begin Tomorrow |newspaper=Van Nuys Daily News |volume=46 |number=43 |page=48 |date=October 24, 1957 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}} At this time, the leaders of this company were Harry Blackman as president, Sam Nassi as vice-president, and Harry's wife Lillian as secretary-treasurer. Ironically, Nassi would return years later to help White Front's liquidate its store inventory in 1973.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NCT19751214.1.29&srpos=2&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+Sam+Nassi-------# |title=Business risky in liquidation |newspaper=North County Times |volume=64 |page=29 |date=December 14, 1975 |first=Stephen |last=Fox |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/382803799/ |title=Sam Nassi: Expert in Grand Store Closings |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=G1 |date=December 21, 1975 |id={{ProQuest|157874208}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In April 1959, the two store chain was acquired by Interstate Department Stores, Inc., for $1,650,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1650000|start_year=1959}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in cash and shares.{{cite news |title=Interstate Department Stores Acquires Los Angeles Concern |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=April 28, 1959 |page=12 |author= |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/132514230 |url-access=subscription |quote=Interstate Department Stores, Inc., announced it has acquired White Front Stores, Inc., Los Angeles, a two-unit low markup operation with volume of more $20 million a year. |id={{ProQuest|132514230}}}} Interstate expanded the chain to other California locations and broadened its retail mix beyond the original housewares.{{cite web |url=http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/lehman/chrono.html?company=interstate_department_stores_inc |title=Interstate Department Stores Inc. |publisher=Lehman Brothers Collection, Twentieth Century Business Archives, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School |date=2010 |author=}}[http://www.1973tartars.com/white.html White Front], Memories, Torrance High School Class of 1973. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208041945/http://www.1973tartars.com/white.html |date=December 8, 2011 }} Around this same time, Interstate had also acquired another discount department store chain in the eastern part of the country called Topps Discount Stores, but Interstate always had kept the two chains separate.

With a large infusion of cash from its new parent Interstate, White Front was able to rapidly expand throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area and into the rest of California. The company was known for is extravagant grand openings ceremonies which include governmental officials and Hollywood celebrities.

In November 1960, White Front opened the third store in their chain at Harbor and Wilken Way in Anaheim.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381245528/ |title=White Front Opens New Anaheim Store |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=B8 |date=November 14, 1960 |id={{ProQuest|167793020}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=White Front Stores has opened its newest branch on Harbor Blvd. here, a half-mile south of Disneyland.}}{{cite news |title=White Front Opens 112,000 Sq. Ft. Store |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=101 |issue=93 |page=11 |date=November 14, 1960 |id={{ProQuest|1564868912}} |quote=}} Celebrities at the grand opening included the California attorney general Stanley Mosk and actress Marilyn Maxwell.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SWLA19601201-02.1.51&srpos=2&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+anaheim----1960--- |title=Store opens another new unit |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=42 |number=99 |page=51 |date=December 1, 1960 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

The fourth White Front store was opened on Olympic Blvd. in East Los Angeles in October 1961 by converting an existing building that was previously being used as the general offices and also as a warehouse.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/386313939/ |title=Warehouse Converted to New Store |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=I10 |date=October 1, 1961 |id={{ProQuest|167961836}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In March 1962, the company opened its fifth store on Azuza Avenue in Covina.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/380686697/ |title=White Front Opens New Covina Store |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=SG_A13 |date=April 29, 1962 |id={{ProQuest|168101089}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Grand opening celebrities included were actors Keenan Wynn, Mark Stevens, Gail Davis and Greta Thyssen.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/381475470/ |title=White Front Opens New Covina Store |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=P24 |date=March 11, 1962 |id={{ProQuest|168060894}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The sixth White Front store was opened on Orange Show Road in San Bernardino in October 1962.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/381372660/ |title=White Front Opens Sixth Store Today |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=B7 |date=October 18, 1962 |id={{ProQuest|168177930}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Johnny Weissmuller, Greta Thyssen, Alan Mowbray, and Gail Davis.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19621019.1.21&srpos=1&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+San+Bernardino----1962---# |title=White Front Chain Opens New S.B. Store |newspaper=San Bernardino Sun |volume=69 |page=21 |date=October 19, 1962 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

In November 1962, the seventh store was opened at Jefferson and Hauser Blvds. in West Los Angeles.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/381378448/ |title=White Front Opens Store on West Side |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=M6 |date=November 18, 1962 |id={{ProQuest|168233193}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Greta Thyssen, Alan Mowbray, Keenan Wynn and Gail Davis.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/580387338/ |title=White Front Opens Seventh Discount Store |newspaper=Valley Times |page=21 |date=November 20, 1962 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The eighth White Front store was opened on Torrance Blvd. in Torrance in March 1963.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/381594518/ |title=Store Gives Jobs to 200 in Torrance |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=B5 |date=March 9, 1963 |id={{ProQuest|168259962}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Celebrities included were actor Ricardo Montalbán, comedian Soupy Sales,{{cite news |url=https://libarch.torranceca.gov/archivednewspapers/Press/1963%20Jan%20-%20Jun/PDF/00000459.pdf |title=White Front ad |newspaper=Torrance Press |page=C1 |date=March 6, 1963 |via=Torrance Public Library |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://libarch.torranceca.gov/archivednewspapers/Herald/1962%20Dec%206%20-%201963%20March%2024/PDF/00001041.pdf |title=White Front ad |newspaper=Torrance Press |page=13 |date=March 6, 1963 |via=Torrance Public Library |quote=}} actress Gail Davis, actress Mala Powers, and actor Johnny Weissmuller.

In May 1963, the ninth store was opened on Roscoe Blvd. in Canoga Park.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/381583031/ |title=White Front's Ninth Store to Open Thursday |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=C11 |date=May 24, 1963 |id={{ProQuest|168297095}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Celebrities included were comedian Pinky Lee, comedian Bill Dana, actress Gail Davis, rock duo Jan and Dean, and jazz musician Big Tiny Little.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/702122408/ |title=White Front Sets Opening for New Canoga Park Store |newspaper=Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet |page=42 |date=May 24, 1963 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The tenth White Front store was opened on Hegenberger Road in Oakland in early October 1963. This was the first store to open in Northern California.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=OT19631009.1.96&srpos=2&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+epstein----1963---# |title=New Outlet Off Freeway |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |volume=177 |number=282 |page=96 |date=October 9, 1963 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} Dignitaries included were California state officials such as Governor Edmund G. Brown Sr., Lieutenant Governor Glenn M. Anderson, and Attorney General Stanley Mosk. Celebrities attending included actors Jayne Mansfield, George Jessel, Marvin Miller, Troy Donahue, and Gail Davis.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/354546707/ |title=Ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening of store in California chain |newspaper=Alameda Times-Star |page=3 |date=October 14, 1963 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In late October 1963, the chain open its 11th store on Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/165696555/ |title=White Front Store Holds Ribbon Cutting |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=G9 |date=November 1, 1963 |id={{ProQuest|168433770}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Troy Donahue, Rick Jason and Gail Davis.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/701942905/ |title=White Front's Grand Opening Set for Today |newspaper=Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet |page=12 |date=October 31, 1963 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The 12th White Front store was opened on Moorpark in San Jose in November 1963. This was the second store to open in Northern California.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/382222753/ |title=White Front to Open San Jose Store Wednesday |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=B9 |date=November 19, 1963 |id={{ProQuest|168487678}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In May 1964, the 13th store was opened on El Camino Real in Sunnyvale. This was the third store to open in Northern California.{{cite news |title=Discount: News & Ideas |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=108 |issue=101 |page=10 |date=May 21, 1964 |id={{ProQuest|1862457131}} |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/839506384/ |title=Big White Front discount store opens in Sunnyvale |newspaper=Peninsula Times Tribune |page=6 |date=May 21, 1964 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/382106124/ |title=White Front Continues Expansion |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=O-23 |date=June 14, 1964 |id={{ProQuest|}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=168640418}}

The 14th White Front store was opened on Arden Way in Sacramento in August 1964. This was the fourth store to open in Northern California.{{cite news |title=White Front Opens Fourteenth Store |newspaper=Los Angeles Sentinel |page=C11 |date=September 17, 1964 |id={{ProQuest|564704939}} |quote=}}{{cite news |title=Discount: News & Ideas |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=109 |issue=30 |page=18 |date=August 12, 1964 |id={{ProQuest|1565188855}} |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Gail Davis, and Marvin Miller.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/618545291/ |title=Wednesday Opening Is Due For White Front |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |page=74 |date=August 9, 1964 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In early November 1964, the 15th store was opened on Contra Costa Blvd. in Pleasant Hill. This was the fifth store to open in Northern California.{{cite news |title=Discount: News & Ideas |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=109 |issue=90 |page=27 |date=November 6, 1964 |id={{ProQuest|1565394537}} |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Mamie Van Doren, Marvin Miller, Rick Jason, and Gail Davis.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=CCT19641105.1.3&srpos=1&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+pleasant+hill----1964---# |title=White Front Opening Friday in Pleasant Hill |newspaper=Contra Costa Times |volume=53 |number=176 |page=3 |date=November 5, 1964 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

The 16th White Front store was opened on Mountain Avenue in Ontario in late November 1964. Celebrities included were actors Gail Davis.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19641119.1.18&srpos=3&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+ontario----1964---# |title=White Front Opens Outlet In Ontario |newspaper=San Bernardino Sun |volume=71 |page=18 |date=November 19, 1964 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

In May 1965, the 17th store was opened on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. This was the sixth store to open in Northern California.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=OT19650526.1.75&srpos=9&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+fresno----1965---# |title=White Front to Open 17th Store |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |volume=179 |number=146 |page=75 |date=May 26, 1965 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Gail Davis, Marvin Miller and Rick Jason.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/702828168/ |title=Ribbon Cutting Opens Fresno's White Front |newspaper=The Fresno Bee |page=6 |date=May 27, 1965 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The original Central Avenue store was "burned to the ground" during the August 1965 Watts riots.{{cite news |title=L.A. Riots Hit Stores With Fire, Terror |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=111 |issue=32 |pages=1, 8 |date=August 16, 1965 |id={{ProQuest|1862422521}} |quote=The 32,000-square-foot White Front Discount Department Store at 77th and Central, the original store of the chain, was burned to the ground.}}{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=OT19650814.1.2&srpos=4&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+riots----1965---# |title=17 Dead in Wake Of Wild L.A. Riot |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |volume=179 |number=226 |page=2 |date=August 14, 1965 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=Grocery stores, liquor stores and pawn shops appeared favorite targets of rock-throwing looters, but big stores went up in flames, too. Several supermarkets and a large "White Front" discount department store were, razed.}} This caused the official store count to drop back to 16 stores.

The 17th White Front store was opened at Florin Road and Stockton Boulevard in South Sacramento in September 1965. This was the seventh store to open in Northern California and the second in Sacramento. Celebrities included were actors Marvin Miller and the rock group The Turtles.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/618669451/ |title=White Front Will Open New South Area Store |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |page=35 |date=September 15, 1965 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In November 1965, the 18th store was opened on El Camino Real in South San Francisco. This was the eighth store to open in Northern California. Celebrities included were actors Carol Channing, Jayne Mansfield, Marvin Miller, Rick Jason, and Gail Davis plus the musical group Liverpool Five.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=OT19651111.1.15&srpos=4&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22south+san+francisco%22----1965---# |title=White Front Opens New Store Today |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |volume=179 |number=315 |page=15 |date=November 11, 1965 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

A pair of stores, the 19th and 20th stores in the chain, were opened in San Diego county in late November in La Mesa and in San Diego.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19651118.1.40&srpos=6&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22la+mesa%22+%22san+diego%22----1965---# |title=White Front To Open Two Stores in S.D. |newspaper=San Bernardino Sun |volume=72 |page=40 |date=November 18, 1965 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Jayne Mansfield, Rick Jason, Marvin Miller, and Gail Davis plus the Jerry Gray Orchestra.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/3754918/ |title=White Front Set To Open San Diego County Stores |newspaper=Desert Sentinel |page=1 |date=November 11, 1965 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In September 1966, the 21st store was opened on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa. Celebrities included were actors Jayne Mansfield, Quinn O'Hara, Joanie Sommers, Mark Miller, Chris Robinson, Marvin Miller and Rick Jason.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/996914490/ |title=Celebrities Civic Officials To Open Store |newspaper=The Orange County Register |page=114 |date=August 31, 1966 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19660830.2.37&srpos=1&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22costa+mesa%22----1966---# |title=Newest |newspaper=The Desert Sun |volume=40 |number=22 |page=4 |date=August 30, 1966 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

The 22nd White Front store was opened on Woodruff in Downey in November 1966.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=STW19661110.1.6&srpos=8&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+downey----1966--- |title=Firm opens new store |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=45 |number=87 |page=6 |date=November 10, 1966 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Joanie Sommers, Lori Saunders and Marvin Miller.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/720220584/ |title=White Front Opens in Downey |newspaper=Long Beach Independent |page=100 |date=November 2, 1966 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

In March 1967, the 23rd store was opened on Central Avenue in Los Angeles on the site of the original Central Avenue store that was razed to the ground 19 months prior by angry rioters.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/382474847/ |title=White Front Central Ave. Unit Rebuilt |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=C15 |date=March 17, 1967 |id={{ProQuest|155711263}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=STW19670323.1.36&srpos=7&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+central-------# |title=Pioneer firm rebuilds store |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=46 |number=21 |page=35|date=March 23, 1967 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} Celebrities included were comedian Bill Cosby and actors Carole Cole, and Rick Jason.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/382383436/ |title=Festivities Honor Store Reopening in Watts |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=A3 |date=March 31, 1967 |id={{ProQuest|155588850}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=STW19670330.1.43&srpos=2&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+central-------# |title=White Front Schedules Grand Opening |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=46 |number=23 |page=43 |date=March 30, 1967 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

The first two stores to be built outside of California were opened in Washington state in October and November 1967.

In April 1968, White Front announced that they were closing their Van Nuys store and liquidating the stock at that store only. At the time of the announcement, the Van Nuys store was the oldest store at that time and the only store at that time that predated the acquisition of the company by Interstate.{{cite news |title=White Front Closing Van Nuys Store |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=116 |issue=84 |page=16 |date=April 29, 1968 |id={{ProQuest|1565285933}} |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/24194708/ |title=White Front classified ad |newspaper=Van Nuys News |page=87 |date=April 28, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} The result of this store closing resulted in the official store count to be reduced by one.

The 27th White Front store in the nation, the 24th in California and the ninth in Northern California, was opened on Sixteenth Street, on the site of the former Seals Stadium, in San Francisco in October 1968.{{cite news |title=White Front Opens New Coast Unit |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=117 |issue=79 |page=17 |date=October 21, 1968 |id={{ProQuest|1565388781}} |quote=}} Celebrities included were singing star John Gary; comedian Pat Paulsen; and actors Rose Marie and Lainie Kazan.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/458593701/ |title= Stars Cement Friendship With White Front at Gala Opening |newspaper=San Francisco Examiner |page=64 |date=October 17, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The last mention of the rebuilt Central Avenue store was in a December 1968 White Front ad. This ad also mentions the locations of 11 other Los Angeles-area stores. Of the 12 stores listed, 8 were in Los Angeles County, 2 in Orange County, and 2 in San Bernardino County.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=STW19681219.1.13&srpos=9&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22central+ave%22-------# |title=White Front ad |newspaper=Southwest Wave |volume=47 |number=50 |page=13 |date=December 19, 1968 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} There are no verifiable records when this store official closed.

In March 1969, the 26th White Front store was opened on Mowry Avenue in Newark. This was the tenth store in Northern California.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/37936702/ |title=Big Variety Simplifies Shopping |newspaper=The Argus (Fremont) |page=25 |date=March 7, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |title=White Front Calif. Unit Will Open Thursday |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=118 |issue=44 |page=32 |date=Mar 4, 1969 |id={{ProQuest|1523640733}} |quote=}} Celebrities included were singer Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers; comedian Charles Nelson Reilly; plus actors Richard X. Slattery, Barbara Stuart, Dick Gautier, Warren Berlinger, Elizabeth Allen, Ann B. Davis, Bill Mumy, Susan Saint James, and Jay Silverheels.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/37936126/ |title=TV Stars To Entertain At Gala White Front Opening Today |newspaper=The Argus (Fremont) |page=1 |date=March 6, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/37936715/ |title=Opening Week Is Biggest In Store's History |newspaper=The Argus (Fremont) |page=26 |date=March 7, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The 27th store in the chain was opened in the Puget Sound area of Washington state.

In December 1969, the 28th White Front store in the nation and the 25th store in California was opened on Ventu Park Road in Thousand Oaks.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/385879028/ |title=28th White Front Store Now Open |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=Q13 |date=December 7, 1969 |id={{ProQuest|156439838}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Celebrities included were actors Lainie Kazan and Darby Hinton.{{cite news |url=https://vcstar.newspapers.com/newspage/925121620/ |title=White Front Grand Opening |newspaper=Thousand Oaks Star |page=40 |date=November 12, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The 29th White Front store in the nation and the 26th store in California was opened on the Imperial Highway at Normandie in the southwest portion of Los Angeles County in March 1970. This store is one of the first of the "new look" stores without the distinctive arch entryway. Celebrities included were NBA player and coach Bill Russell, Los Angeles Rams defense back Ron Smith, actor Don Mitchell, singer Abbe Lane, and singer Della Reese.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SSJ19700305.1.11&srpos=1&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+opening-------# |title=Unique shop opens |newspaper=Southwest Journal |volume=32 |number=50 |page=11 |date=March 5, 1970 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}{{cite news |title=New White Front Store Grand Opening Set |newspaper=Los Angeles Sentinel |page=B5 |date=March 5, 1970 |id={{ProQuest|564948084}} |quote=}}

In April 1970, the 30th White Front store and the 27th store in California was opened at Pierce and Central Avenues in Richmond El Cerrito.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/51991909/ |title=New Store For White Front |newspaper=San Mateo County Times |page=23 |date=April 23, 1970 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} This was the 11th store in Northern California.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=OT19690822.1.15&srpos=2&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+richmond----1969---# |title=Ground Broken in 3-City Site For White Front's 30th Store |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |volume=96 |number=234 |page=15 |date=August 22, 1963 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

In May 1970, the 31st White Front store in the nation and the 28th store in California was opened on National Avenue in Chula Vista. This was the third store in San Diego County.{{cite news |title=White Front Opens Third Unit in San Diego Area |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=120 |issue=106 |page=2 |date=June 2, 1970 |id={{ProQuest|1523635972}} |quote=}} Celebrities at the grand opening included NFL quarterback John Hadl; NBA player John Block; talk show host Regis Philbin; and actors Dennis Cole, Burt Ward, and Lee Meriwether.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NCSN19700528.2.85&srpos=2&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+Chula+Vista----1970---# |title=Chula Vista White Front store opens today |newspaper=National City Star-News |volume=87 |number=79 |page=B4 |date=May 28, 1970 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} Pantry Pride operated the discount food supermarket in the Chula Vista store and also at the other two White Front stores in San Diego County.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NCSN19700730.2.80&srpos=4&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+richmond----1970---# |title=Pantry Pride opens discount market at White Front |newspaper=National City Star-News |volume=87 |number=97 |page=B5 |date=July 30, 1970 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

It was expected that the 32nd White Front store in the nation was going to open in San Carlos sometime around August 1970.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/51912012/ |title=Break Ground For New White Front |newspaper=San Mateo County Times |page=27 |date=February 19, 1970 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}} Unfortunately, no verifiable newspaper articles can be located to verify when the grand opening of this store had actually occurred.

Although there exists newspaper articles that reports the April 1970 land purchase for the site of the future 120,000-square-foot White Front store on California Avenue in what would be the Bakersfield Plaza shopping center in Bakersfield,{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/166564255/ |title=$6 Million Bakersfield Shopping Center Set |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=I24 |date=Apr 12, 1970 |id={{ProQuest|156476674}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |title=White Front Unit Due In Bakersfield Center |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=120 |issue=71 |page=2 |date=April 13, 1970 |id={{ProQuest|1862405322}} |quote=}} no verifiable newspaper articles can be located to verify when the grand opening of this store had actually occurred. It is inferred that the Bakersfield store had opened sometime after the opening of San Carlos store in mid-1970 and before the opening of the Riverside store in May 1971. The Bakersfield store was the second White Front store to open in Central California after the opening of the store in Fresno.

The first and only store in Oregon was opened in September 1970.

In May 1971, the 36th White Front store in the nation was opened on Magnolia in Riverside.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/384885599/ |title=White Front Opens 36th Coast Store |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=E16 |date=May 30, 1971 |id={{ProQuest|156720251}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

The 37th White Front store in the nation was opened on Cherry Avenue in Long Beach in September 1971.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/384855209/ |title=White Front to Open Store in Long Beach |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=I20 |date=July 25, 1971 |id={{ProQuest|156709223}} |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/720653404/ |title=Construction |newspaper=Long Beach Independent |page=36 |date=August 14, 1971 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=}}

At the company's height in mid-1972, the company had 37 White Front stores located in three states.

A June 1972 White Front ad in the San Bernardino Sun displayed the addresses of 15 stores in Southern California with 9 stores in Los Angeles County, 2 in San Bernardino County, 2 Stores in Orange County, 1 in Riverside County, and 1 in Ventura County. Notably missing from this store list is the Central Avenue store, and the definitely closed Van Nuys store. Also listed are three TV & Appliance Marts that were located in Temple City, Glendale, and Whittier.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19720602.1.9&srpos=2&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+glendale+temple+city+whittier----1972---# |title=White Front ad |volume=68 |number=195 |page=9 |date=June 2, 1972 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

An October 1972 White Front ad in the San Bernardino Sun displayed the addresses of 16 stores in Southern California with 7 stores in Los Angeles County, 3 stores in San Diego County, 2 in San Bernardino County, 2 Stores in Orange County, 1 in Riverside County, and 1 in Ventura County. Notably missing from this store list is the Central Avenue store, the definitely closed Van Nuys store, the Torrance store, and the year-old Long Beach Store.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19721011.1.55&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22long+beach%22----1972---# |title=White Front ad |volume=69 |number=28 |page=55 |date=October 11, 1972 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

White Front entered the Seattle/Tacoma market on October 19, 1967, with the North Seattle location in a 155,000-square-foot building and a parking lot with a capacity for 1,000 vehicles. The grand opening was hosted by the stars of Petticoat Junction, Howard Duff, and Sharon Vaughn, the former Miss Washington of 1958, who was known as Miss White Front for the opening. It was televised live for three hours on KING-TV.{{cite news |date=October 19, 1967 |title=Ribbon-Cutting With a Flair Signals White Front Opening |page=66 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{author missing}} Four additional stores were built in high-traffic areas in Burien, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Everett.{{citation needed|date=March 2021|reason=Unable to find references to confirm statement.}}

Two weeks after the opening of the North Seattle location, the second White Front store in Washington state was open in Tacoma on November 1, 1967.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/734792430/ |title=White Front Store Opens Here Thursday |newspaper=The News Tribune |page=32 |date=October 30, 1967 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=White Front Stores Inc. opens its second and largest store in the Northwest at 10 am Thursday at 38th and Pine streets in Tacoma, Harry Epstein vice president and general manager said. The large discount department store chain selected Washington for its first expansion outside of California... }}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/734792430/ |title=Many Attend Opening Of White Front Store |newspaper=The News Tribune |page=36 |date=November 2, 1967 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=With the snip of a ribbon Tacoma's new White Front Store South 38th and Pine streets opened for business Thursday morning White new Tacoma and Seattle stores with Burien on the way mark the large discount department store first venture outside California}}

No newspaper articles can be located that mentions the opening of the Burien store. In November 1969, the fourth store in Washington state was opened on 148th Avenue in Bellevue.

The fifth and last store in Washington state was opened at the Everett Mall in Everett in May 1971.{{cite news |title=Grand Opening Sale |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12D67A05C0205327%25402441088-12D677C76E18F4F9%254028%2Fhlterms%3A |access-date=July 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=May 16, 1971 |page=B7 |format=Advertisement |via=NewsBank |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813054844/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A127D718D1E33F961%40EANX-NB-12D67A05C0205327%402441088-12D677C76E18F4F9%4028&hlterms=&f=basic |url-status=live }}

All but the Everett location were closed by January 19, 1973.{{cite news |date=December 19, 1972 |title=Weisfield's buys White Front store |page=D5 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{author missing}} The last ad for White Front appeared in The Seattle Times on December 9, 1972. The Everett and Portland stores remained open (the only two locations to remain open outside of California) while the remaining stores' merchandise was liquidated until February 1973.{{cite news |date=February 2, 1973 |title=County posts writs against White Front |page=E6 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{author missing}} According to a December 14 article in The Seattle Times, the company stated that "the five stores hadn't begun to turn a profit".{{cite news |last=Parks |first=Michael J. |date=December 14, 1972 |title=White Front stays mum on closures |page=B3 |work=The Seattle Times}} While the company was quiet about the closures, local factors including the "Boeing Bust", could have played a role in the downturn of the chain in the area.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}{{Opinion|date=November 2020}} Archives about the company don’t indicate a local distribution center in the Northwest.{{citation needed|date=November 2020|reason=Opinion? Maybe editor did not look at all relevant sources.}}

In an article published by The Seattle Times (on June 16, 1972) General Manager Walter Craig, explained that the stores had yet to make a profit in the Northwest but wanted to retool the stores for the customer base by adding more lights, widening aisles for better traffic flow, repainting the exterior of the building, and restriping the parking lots spending $250,000. The company implemented a "Friedlee" program complete with an elf like mascot to improve customer service.{{cite news |title=How to turn stores to profit? |url=http://nl.newsbank.com |access-date=4 October 2020 |agency=The Seattle Times |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=June 16, 1972 |ref=Page D1}}{{author missing}}{{dead link|date=November 2020|reason=URL broken, does not lead to article}}

Three of the four closed stores were acquired by Weisfields to become Valu-Mart/Leslie's stores by the end of 1973. The grocery sections were leased to Associated Grocers. The Tacoma store had seen many ownership changes: first as a Valu-Mart/Leslie's store (acquired in February 1973),Seattle Times December 19, 1972{{title missing}}{{page needed|date=September 2013}}{{author missing}} later a Jafco and then a Best store (currently Michael's).{{citation needed|date=March 2021|reason=Unable to find references to confirm statement.}} The Burien store became the flagship store for Valu-Mart/Leslie's (currently Fred Meyer). It was acquired from White Front in February 1973.{{cite news |date=February 6, 1973 |title=Weisfield's may buy Burien White Front |page=D6 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{author missing}} The Burien location is one of the larger stores in the Fred Meyer chain. The North Seattle store became a Kmart (closed in January 2013).{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Kmart-in-North-Seattle-to-close-soon-4227820.php#photo-4096407 |title=Kmart in North Seattle to close soon: Store has been on Aurora Avenue North since 1970s |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=January 28, 2013 |first=Casey |last=McNerthney}} The Everett store (appears to have remained opened until the company's complete liquidation in 1974 according to Everett Mall leasing records) was integrated into Everett Mall in 1977 to become a Bon Marché and then Macy's (Macy's recently closed the store). The Bellevue store was acquired by Valu-Mart/Leslie's in November 1973Seattle Times November 11 1973{{title missing}}{{page needed|date=September 2013}}{{author missing}} and became a Fred Meyer as well. The towering store signs used for the locations remain visible at the North Seattle and Tacoma sites.

Stores built before 1970 contained a "Discount Foods" grocery store department. Safeway Inc. took ownership of the grocery section in some markets, and newer-design stores, such as those in Everett and Bellevue that were built without the arch, also did not have a grocery store.{{cite web |title=Seattle Area White Front Stores |url=https://www.groceteria.ca/board/viewtopic.php?t=2419 |website=Grocerteria.com |access-date=4 October 2020}}

In 1970, the company made an attempt to expand into Oregon market at the Mall 205 in Portland, Oregon.The Oregonian (photo of grand opening of Mall 205 with White Front store) September 18, 1970 The store had its grand opening on September 19, 1970. The grand opening ceremony featured game show host Allen Ludden of Password, actress Ann B. Davis of The Brady Bunch, recording artist John Gary, and then little known singer Neil Diamond performing with the Seattle-based rock band Springfield Rifle (most store openings were promoted by Hollywood stars).See Password episode from September 18, 1970{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1092578803/ |title=Mall 205 Schedules 1st Grand Opening |newspaper=The Oregon Journal |page=2 |date=September 16, 1970 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=Grand opening the White Front Store, one of the major new attractions of the soon-to-be-completed Mall 205 shopping center, in Metro-East will be held Thursday, kicking off the first of three gala opening celebrations. Mall 205, located near SE 102nd Ave. and Stark St. is situated on 65 acres of land...}} Plans were made to construct additional stores in Beaverton and Oak Grove{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1089053639/ |title=Queen Turns First Earth for New Shopping Center |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=32 |date=June 13, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=newspapers.com |quote=Julian Lavitt, president of White Front, said the store in Mall 205 was the first of three facilities planned for the Portland metropolitan area. Levine said his firm was planning to construct two additional shopping center, complexes in the area, had just purchased one site in the Oak Grove area. He said two sites were under consideration in the rapidly growing Beaverton vicinity.}} but they never materialized. The Portland store failed largely due to competition from other retailers.{{opinion|date=March 2021}}{{citation needed|date=March 2021|reason=Unable to find references to confirm statement.}}

White Front closed their Thousand Oaks store in early November 1972.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/925061823/ |title=Store seeks new jobs |newspaper=Ventura County Star |page=2 |date=October 29, 1972 |via=newspaper.com |url-access=subscription |quote=}} Within two weeks, the company also quietly closed its Riverside store that was barely opened for 18 months and moved the entire inventory to a nearby store in San Bernardino.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19721117.1.48&srpos=9&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+riverside----1972---# |title=White Front ad |newspaper=San Bernardino Sun |page=48 |date=November 17, 1972 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/385763897/ |title=Several White Front Closings Reported Near |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=D9 |date=December 12, 1972 |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|157138863}} |last=Auerbach |first=Alexander |quote=}}

On December 13, 1972, Interstate chairman Sol Canter announced the closing of 21 of the 37 White Front stores, all of which were located in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, to eliminate $10–11 million in loses in the ill-fated of attempt preserve the remaining stores in Southern California.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=CTC19721214.1.1&srpos=2&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+store+closing-------# |title=White Front in PH is among those closing |newspaper=Concord Transcript |volume=85 |number=254 |page=1 |date=December 14, 1972 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/385730102/ |title=Interstate Plans to Close 21 of Its 31 White Front Stores |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=B11 |date=December 13, 1972 |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|157123954}} |last=Auerbach |first=Alexander |quote=}}

After a further 17 month struggle to rescue the floundering chain, the remaining 15 White Front discount stores and its six White Front appliance centers were finally closed after Interstate filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in May 1974.{{cite news |title=Interstate's Chapter XI is tops in shops: Interstate Chapter XI is retailing's biggest |newspaper=Women's Wear Daily |date=May 23, 1974 |pages=1, 14 |volume=128 |issue=102 |author= |quote=Interstate also plans to dispose of its 15 remaining White Front discount stores and its six White Front appliance centers in California. |id={{ProQuest|1627404149}}}}{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19740621.1.58&srpos=3&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22ralph%27s%22----1974---# |title=White Front stores are being closed |newspaper=San Bernardino Sun |page=58 |date=June 21, 1974 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

In their struggle to reverse their loses, the chain opened smaller "TV & Appliance Marts" that carried less variety and smaller inventory. Not much are known about these short lived stores except that they first appeared in ads in 1972 and there was a maximum of six in 1974, all located within Los Angeles County.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19740307.1.75&srpos=7&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+glendale+temple+city+whittier-------# |title=White Front ad |newspaper=San Bernardino Sun |page=75 |date=March 7, 1974 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}}

Many of the former White Front sites were quickly occupied by other retailers while other sites remained vacant for many years before they were finally bulldozed and replaced by newer structures. The search for new potential replacement tenants in some communities was hindered by the glut of vacant big store sites created by the Recession of 1969–1970. Other large retailers that closed stores in this period included G.E.M..{{cite news |title=Bankruptcy Act Petition Is Filed by Parkview-Gem |newspaper=New York Times |page=67 |date=December 20, 1973 |id={{ProQuest|119741895}} |quote=}}

J.C. Penney obtained four vacant former White Front sites (in Concord, Fremont, South San Francisco, and Sunnyvale) plus two vacant former G. E. M. Membership Department Stores in the San Francisco Bay Area in early 1974 to introduce their The Treasury discount chain to the West Coast.{{cite news |title=Penney's eyes San Francisco sites for 6 Treasury units |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |volume=128 |number=78 |page=2 |date=April 22, 1974 |id={{ProQuest|1627367544}} |quote=}}

In San Diego County, FedMart purchased the lease on one of the store{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=CVSN19741010.1.12&srpos=1&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22fedmart%22----1974---# |title=FedMart expands to Grossmont |newspaper=Chula Vista Star-News |volume=56 |number=81 |page=12 |date=October 10, 1974 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} while Two Guys purchased the leases for the other two stores in November 1974.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NCSN19741006.2.43&srpos=1&e=------197-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22white+front%22+%22two+guys%22-------# |title=White Front may acquire new owner |newspaper=National City Star-News |volume=92 |number=4 |page= |date=October 6, 1974 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |quote=}} In Los Angeles County, Two Guys also acquired the site of the former Pacoima store around the same time of acquiring the two sites in San Diego.{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/386015435/ |title=Vornodo bought three White Front stores in California |page=D8 |date=November 5, 1974 |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|157601867}} |quote=Vornado bought the former discount stores and fixtures for an undisclosed price. They will be converted into Two Guys department stores and will, open for the Christmas shopping season, Vornado said. One is in Pacoima and the other two are in the San Diego area.}}

The two vacant store sites in Sacramento were refurbished and reopened as Gold Circle stores in Spring 1976.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/620744219/ |title=Bankruptcy Blues |first=John |last=Bums |newspaper=Sacramento Bee |page=10 |date=February 18, 1976 |url-access=subscription |quote=}}

The White Front store on California Avenue in Bakersfield, California, was closed in 1973 and remained vacant for three years before Mervyn's purchased and remodeled the empty building prior to the opening of its 36th store in Bakersfield in March 1977.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/3057674/ |title=Gulf Oil office project gets okay |newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian |page=17 |date=December 16, 1976 |url-access=subscription |quote=a Mervyn's Department Store will open March 5 in Bakersfield... The Mervyn's store will be located in the remodeled White Front building at 4450 California Avenue... grand opening for the store, which has 35 outlets in Northern California, will be held March 5. The building will be 116,800 square feet with 900 parking spaces. Boyd gave no estimate of the remodeling cost. The store has been vacant since White Front went out of business in 1973.}}{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/385369499/ |title=Bakersfield Akron Store Sold to Bay Area Group |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=26 |date=May 25, 1980 |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|162816269}} |quote=}} Mervyn's also opened a new store 2 weeks later in another vacant San Joaquin Valley White Front store site in Fresno.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/703818849/ |title=Mervyn's Chief Visits Store Opening |newspaper=Fresno Bee |page=23 |date=March 13, 1977 |url-access=subscription |quote=}}

The Target store in San Bernardino, California sported the archway across its facade for many years until a recent remodeling.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

A number of independent local pharmacies continue to carry the White Front name in Costa Mesa and elsewhere, having inherited it from their former host stores, but are otherwise unrelated.{{citation needed|date=March 2021|reason=Unable to find references to confirm statement.}}

• List of defunct department stores of the United States

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.spaceagecity.com/googie/whitefront.jpg White Front building at 2222 Harbor Blvd, Anaheim California] — a very early White Front store.
• [https://www.angelfire.com/wa2/hwysofwastate/BonEverettMall.html White Front building at Everett Mall, Everett, Washington] — after remodeling into a Bon Marche store, retaining modern 1970 White Front facade (without the arch).

{{History of Retail in Southern California}}

Category:Defunct discount stores of the United States

Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles

Category:1929 establishments in California

Category:1985 disestablishments in California

Category:Retail companies established in 1929

Category:Retail companies disestablished in 1985