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[[Image:Blach's trade mark.jpg|right|220px]]
[[Image:Blach's logo.jpg|right|275px]]
[[Image:Blach's logo.jpg|right|275px]]
'''Blach's''' (formerly '''J. Blach & Sons''') was a family-owned department store chain founded in [[1885]] by German immigrant [[Julius Blach]] in downtown [[Birmingham]]. The logo Blach's used was the image of a calla lily and a layman's square which stood for the store's motto: "Blach's treats you fair and square".
'''Blach's''' (formerly '''J. Blach & Sons''') was a family-owned department store chain founded in [[1885]] by German immigrant [[Julius Blach]] in downtown [[Birmingham]]. The logo Blach's used was the image of a calla lily and a layman's square which stood for the store's motto: "Blach's treats you fair and square".


[[Image:Blach's 1925.jpg|left|thumb|370px|Blach's in 1925, {{BPL permission caption|http://www.bham.lib.al.us/resources/Digital_Project/default.asp}}]]
After being housed in a modest downtown shop, Blach's moved into a larger three-story building at 1912-1914 [[3rd Avenue North]] in [[1905]]. In [[1935]] the former [[Bencor Hotel]] building at 3rd Avenue and [[20th Street North|20th Street]] was completely remodeled in a modernist style by [[Warren, Knight and Davis]] for Blach's. The arched windows were squared off, the cornice and window trim were stripped away and the brickwork was stuccoed over and painted off-white. The store moved into its new location in [[1936]] and remained there until closing.  The previous store at 3rd and 19th was torn down and an [[S. H. Kress building|S. H. Kress]] store built there in [[1937]], which still stands.
After being housed in a modest, three-story building, Blach's moved into a larger store on the northwest corner of  [[19th Street North|19th Street]] and [[3rd Avenue North]] in [[1905]]. In [[1935]] the former [[Bencor Hotel]] building at 3rd Avenue and [[20th Street North|20th Street]] was completely remodeled in a modernist style by [[Warren, Knight and Davis]] for Blach's. The arched windows were squared off, the cornice and window trim were stripped away and the brickwork was stuccoed over and painted off-white. The store moved into its new location in [[1936]] and remained there until closing.  The previous store at 3rd and 19th was torn down and an [[S. H. Kress building|S. H. Kress]] store built there in [[1937]], which still stands.


During the [[1945 printers' strike]], which stopped the publication of all three of Birmingham's daily newspapers, [[WAPI-AM]] posted news stories in two of Blach's windows, organized by various categories. The resulting crowds, according to ''Time'' magazine, "all but blocked traffic past the store."
During the [[1945 printers' strike]], which stopped the publication of all three of Birmingham's daily newspapers, [[WAPI-AM]] posted news stories in two of Blach's windows, organized by various categories. The resulting crowds, according to ''Time'' magazine, "all but blocked traffic past the store."


[[Image:Blach's_1943.jpg|thumb|375px|right|Blach's in 1943, {{BPL permission caption|http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll6,1335}}.]]
In May [[1959]] Julius' great-grandson [[Harold Blach Jr]] took over the company following the death of his father, [[Harold Blach|Harold, Sr]]. That year the store completed a $100,000 remodeling of the "women's fashion floor". The sleek interior design removed all floor racks in favor of built-in wall coves. A "designer's circle" highlighted a single mannequin in a living room-styled space. Pale green carpet stretched from wall to wall, a shade darker than the "seed pearl" white paint. Olive, red and white leather furniture and brass chandeliers completed the elegant look. The 23 dressing rooms were painted in a flattering sunrise pink and had access to windows for examining garments by natural light.
In May [[1959]] Julius' great-grandson [[Harold Blach Jr]] took over the company following the death of his father, [[Harold Blach|Harold, Sr]]. That year the store completed a $100,000 remodeling of the "women's fashion floor". The sleek interior design removed all floor racks in favor of built-in wall coves. A "designer's circle" highlighted a single mannequin in a living room-styled space. Pale green carpet stretched from wall to wall, a shade darker than the "seed pearl" white paint. Olive, red and white leather furniture and brass chandeliers completed the elegant look. The 23 dressing rooms were painted in a flattering sunrise pink and had access to windows for examining garments by natural light.


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In January [[1987]], Blach's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  At the time, the store had $1.85 in liabilities against $1.3 million in inventory and $1.26 million in accounts receivable.  The store's reorganization was unsuccessful and its closing was announced in December of that year.
In January [[1987]], Blach's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  At the time, the store had $1.85 in liabilities against $1.3 million in inventory and $1.26 million in accounts receivable.  The store's reorganization was unsuccessful and its closing was announced in December of that year.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Blach's trade mark.jpg|Blach's trade mark
File:1907 Blach's store.jpg|Blach's first store, c. 1907
Image:Blach's 1925.jpg|Blach's in 1925
Image:Blach's_1943.jpg|Blach's in 1943
</gallery>


== References ==
== References ==
* "[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,803697,00.html Printers' Exit]".  (August 6, 1945).  ''Time''
* "[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,803697,00.html Printers' Exit]" (August 6, 1945) ''Time''
* [http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/BlachsRemodel(8-59).jpg Blach's to open glamorous new $100,000 fashion floor Monday]" (August 1959) ''Birmingham News''
* [http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/BlachsRemodel(8-59).jpg Blach's to open glamorous new $100,000 fashion floor Monday]" (August 1959) {{BN}}
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,237 Giant Eastwood Mall still growing].  (February 15, 1967).  ''Birmingham News''
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,237 Giant Eastwood Mall still growing].  (February 15, 1967) {{BN}}
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,276 Meet Eastwood store managers]".  (September 13, 1978).  ''Birmingham News''
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,276 Meet Eastwood store managers]".  (September 13, 1978) {{BN}}
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,308 Eastwood Mall stores provide fashions for entire family]".  (September 24, 1980).  ''Birmingham News''
* "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll2,308 Eastwood Mall stores provide fashions for entire family]".  (September 24, 1980) {{BN}}
* Warren, Kathleen.  (January 1987).  "Blach's, as expected, files Chap. 11 plan to reorganize."  ''Daily News Record''
* Warren, Kathleen.  (January 1987).  "Blach's, as expected, files Chap. 11 plan to reorganize."  ''Daily News Record''
* Warren, Kathleen.  (December 1987).  "101-year-old Blach's to liquidate."  ''Daily News Record''
* Warren, Kathleen.  (December 1987).  "101-year-old Blach's to liquidate."  ''Daily News Record''
* "Old Blach's building could play pivotal role." (March 17, 2002).  ''The Birmingham News''
* "Old Blach's building could play pivotal role." (March 17, 2002) {{BN}}
* {{Hollis-2005}}
* {{Hollis-2005}}
* {{Bennett-2013}}


[[Category:1885 establishments]]
[[Category:1885 establishments]]

Revision as of 15:34, 18 July 2017

Blach's logo.jpg

Blach's (formerly J. Blach & Sons) was a family-owned department store chain founded in 1885 by German immigrant Julius Blach in downtown Birmingham. The logo Blach's used was the image of a calla lily and a layman's square which stood for the store's motto: "Blach's treats you fair and square".

After being housed in a modest downtown shop, Blach's moved into a larger three-story building at 1912-1914 3rd Avenue North in 1905. In 1935 the former Bencor Hotel building at 3rd Avenue and 20th Street was completely remodeled in a modernist style by Warren, Knight and Davis for Blach's. The arched windows were squared off, the cornice and window trim were stripped away and the brickwork was stuccoed over and painted off-white. The store moved into its new location in 1936 and remained there until closing. The previous store at 3rd and 19th was torn down and an S. H. Kress store built there in 1937, which still stands.

During the 1945 printers' strike, which stopped the publication of all three of Birmingham's daily newspapers, WAPI-AM posted news stories in two of Blach's windows, organized by various categories. The resulting crowds, according to Time magazine, "all but blocked traffic past the store."

In May 1959 Julius' great-grandson Harold Blach Jr took over the company following the death of his father, Harold, Sr. That year the store completed a $100,000 remodeling of the "women's fashion floor". The sleek interior design removed all floor racks in favor of built-in wall coves. A "designer's circle" highlighted a single mannequin in a living room-styled space. Pale green carpet stretched from wall to wall, a shade darker than the "seed pearl" white paint. Olive, red and white leather furniture and brass chandeliers completed the elegant look. The 23 dressing rooms were painted in a flattering sunrise pink and had access to windows for examining garments by natural light.

By the late 1970s, Blach's had five locations, including the downtown store and ones at Eastwood Mall and Brookwood Village. Eastwood, which opened in February 1967 after an addition was made to the east end of the mall, was the largest location at that time. The Eastwood location also handled merchandise processing for the entire chain.

In January 1987, Blach's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time, the store had $1.85 in liabilities against $1.3 million in inventory and $1.26 million in accounts receivable. The store's reorganization was unsuccessful and its closing was announced in December of that year.

Gallery

  • Blach's trade mark

    Blach's trade mark

  • Blach's first store, c. 1907

    Blach's first store, c. 1907

  • Blach's in 1925

    Blach's in 1925

  • Blach's in 1943

    Blach's in 1943

References

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