A brief history of Shreve & Co from its founding in San Francisco in 1852, up until its acquisition by The Schiffman Group in 1992. Episode features archival articles from the San Francisco Chronicle, talking about the Shreve store from the 1890s in detail. There is also the first-hand account of a Shreve employee in the immediate aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire. Next week's episode will feature an interview with Lane Schiffman, Managing Partner of The Schiffman Group, who will join me to talk about Shreve & Co, and how its a robust business perfectly poised to serve San Francisco's luxury market.
Resources:
Shreve & Co:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve_%26_Co.
https://www2.northwestmuseum.org/museum/participant-shreve-company-3474.htm
Arthur C. Poore’s account of the 1906 Earthquake:
https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=An_Eyewitness_Recounts_the_Quake_of_1906
Henry Birks Bankruptcy: (https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2681668308)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birks_Group
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Corporation
William Curlett & Willis Polk:
https://noehill.com/architects/curlett.aspx
http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/firm/532/
http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/153/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Polk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_and_Alexander_Curlett
San Francisco Chronicle:
December 6, 1889, no author citation, “Holiday Trade: Seasonable Gifts in the City’s Stores; Treasure House of Art - George C. Shreve & Co’s Magnificent Holiday Display”
July 18, 1903, no author citation, mention of William Curlett building at Post and Grant
March 17, 1906, no author citation, - “Shreve & Company Enter Their New Store - A Magnificent Interior Appointed with Rare Taste”
April 27, 1992 - Herb Caen, San Francisco Chronicle “Monday Go-Round”
December 3, 1992 - Gavin Power, San Francisco Chronicle “Shreve & Co. Changes Hands Again”