Nahas Explained

Nahas
Industry:Retail
Founder:A. S. Nahas

Nahas (pronounced Nay-haz) was a chain of department stores owned by A. S. Nahas, operating in Greater Los Angeles, carrying clothing, household goods and electronics. They also acquired Rathbun's department store at 5311 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood and cobranded it "Nahas Rathbuns" before the branch closed in 1980.[1] The remaining Nahas stores were closed from 1981 to 1982.

The Nahas chain originated as a partnership between A. S. Nahas and Donald R. Nuss in 1951. In 1970 the company was incorporated. Nahas died December 13, 1970. As of 1974, Nuss was the CEO.[2]

Branches

The order of opening of the first eight stores is documented as follows:[3]

Later advertisements promote these additional following branches:

A. S. Nahas

Mr. Abe[16] (or "Abraham" as listed in the 1910 census)[17] Salem[18] Nahas was born in Tripoli, then in Ottoman Syria, now Lebanon, on August 16, 1895 (as reported on his WWII draft card, 1920 census, and obituary)[2] [19] to Selami and Mary Nahas. Young Abraham emigrated to the United States at age 5 with his parents and siblings George, Elsie and Edna,[17] and the family settled in San Francisco. Shortly after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake the family moved to Los Angeles. In 1910, the family was registered on Holmes Avenue in San Antonio Township, Florence Precinct, in what is now referred to as Florence, California, an unincorporated area adjacent to South Los Angeles.[17] At age 22, Nahas was an escrow clerk at an insurance and trust company at 5th and Spring Streets and lived at 784 East Washington Boulevard in what is now southeastern Downtown Los Angeles. He was described as short, of medium build, with blue eyes and dark brown hair.[19]

Nahas married Edith Rector in 1918 and had two daughters, Virginia and Lorraine. He was a Mason.[2]

Nahas started working in retail in 1918 and became the manager of the Woolworth five and dimes in Prescott, Arizona (where he resided during the 1920 census),[20] Santa Rosa, California and Hollywood. In 1937 he became a partner in a department store chain, and in 1939 was managing a five and ten cent store at 6410 Hollywood Boulevard when burglars broke in and stole a small safe with $1200 in cash inside.[21] [2] His WWII draft card shows Abe and Edith Nahas living at 753 1/2 N. Croft Ave. in Hollywood at that time and his employer as Woolworth's.

Nahas later founded Nahas department stores as a partnership with Donald Nuss in 1951.[2] The Nahases had a home in Newport Beach, featured in the Los Angeles Times in 1958, stretching 110 feet along the breakwater, designed by architect Herbert Brownell. The home had a panorama wall of glass providing an ocean view.[22] In 1966, Nahas opened Toluca Villa, a 42-unit, 3-story apartment complex at 10240 Camarillo St., in North Hollywood.[23]

Nahas died December 13, 1970.[2]

Notes and References

  1. News: Nahas/Rathbun's advertisement . 3 May 2019 . Los Angeles Times . 31 October 1980 . 74.
  2. News: Rites Conducted for A. H. Nahas Founder of Chain . 4 May 2019 . Los Angeles Times . 24 December 1970 . 4.
  3. Web site: 30 Oct 1980, Page 10 - The Tustin News at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  4. Web site: 10 Feb 1978, 93 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  5. Web site: 20 Jan 1955, Page 7 - Van Nuys News at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  6. Web site: 23 Feb 1958, Page 15 - Valley News at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  7. Web site: 27 Feb 1958, Page 95 - Valley News at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  8. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LHS19610222.2.60 “New Nahas Department Store Opens at La Habra Location in Mid-March”, La Habra Star, Number 81, 22 February 1961
  9. News: Break Ground for Center in North Valley . 4 May 2019 . Valley News (Van Nuys, Calif.) . 1 October 1961 . 23.
  10. News: NAHAS Department Store Schedules Official Grand Opening Here Today . 4 May 2019 . Tustin News . 11 November 1965 . 1.
  11. News: Official Nahas Store Opening Set Today . 4 May 2019 . Tustin News . 2 December 1965 . 15.
  12. Web site: 25 Mar 1965, Page 1 - The Tustin News at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  13. Web site: 4 Jun 1981, Page 24 - The Tustin News at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
  14. News: H. E. Rathbun, Valley Civic Leader, Dies (p.2/2) . 8 April 2024 . Valley Times . 5 August 1946 . 2.
  15. News: Nahas Firm Takes Over Butler Store in Van Nuys . 4 May 2019 . Los Angeles Times . 7 April 1974 . 106.
  16. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893H-H9TM-1?i=1197&cc=1804002 Marriage license, June 13, 1918, County of Los Angeles via familysearch.org
  17. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRV6-9HQ?i=10&cc=1727033 Family Research
  18. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXQH-9XL California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index via familysearch.org
  19. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-81SL-G79 World War I draft registration card for Abe Nahas via familysearch.org
  20. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R6C-WHQ?i=7&cc=1488411 1920 Census, 528 Pleasant Ave. W., Prescott, Arizona
  21. News: Burglars Steal Safe Containing $1200 . 4 May 2019 . Los Angeles Times . 9 April 1939 . 34.
  22. News: Year-around Living at Newport Beach . 4 May 2019 . Los Angeles Times . 8 June 1958.
  23. News: Toluca Villa Opens Today . 4 May 2019 . Los Angeles Times . 17 July 1966.

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