The above photos are from a brochure by Frank K Mott, showing some of the features of Grand Avenue Heights from 1907.
“Grand Avenue Heights enjoys the finest climate in Oakland (and that means the best in the State). It is the greatest place in the world for children who can sleep out upon the sleeping porches 365 nights in the year.”
Over 3,000 people attended the opening day sale, and they sold between $50,000 and $79,000 in lots that first day. The average lot was about $2000 with $300 down and $25 a month.
“It is between the two most fashionable residential districts in the county – Adams Point and Piedmont”
Worden, W. E., and Frank K. Mott Company. Some Features of Grand Avenue Heights (by the park): the Park And Boulevard Residence District of Oakland. Oakland, Cal.: Frank K. Mott Co., 1907. Haiti Trust
The Little Daisy was a small, local chain of women’s clothing boutiques selling shoes, jewelry, and accessories.
It was hip and trendy throughout the 1960s and 70s and was known as one of the officially sanctioned stores where local schoolgirls might buy their uniforms.
In the 1980s, the name changed to The Daisy.
The store was founded by Willard “Bill” and Gladys “Daisy” Talkington. The Talkingtons owned a clothing store in San Francisco before moving their operation to Oakland.
According to the Oakland Directory, the Lakeshore Little Daisy was opened in 1949.
Oakland Directory 1949
In March 1953, they opened a store in the Montclair District at 2020 Mountain Blvd. The store soon became a favorite to many Hill area women for over 35 years and is still missed today.
The Monclarion Jan 1953
In 1955, they expanded the Montclair store by taking over four other stores on Mountain Blvd.
The Montclarion 1955
In 1963 they opened their fourth store in Lafayette, CA. By 1970 there were five stores in the Bay Area. The business offices were located on Claremont Ave in Oakland and later in Pleasant Hill.
The Montclarion
In 1985, the company changed its name to Daisy and adopted an “everyday low price” strategy to broaden its appeal. But as competition intensified, it was forced to close many of its locations, including the Montclair store.
Closes Two Oakland Stores
The Montclarion March 1988
The president of the Daisy Stores announced in March of 1988 that they would be closing five Daisy Stores, including the flagship store in Montclair and one on Lakeshore Blvd. He said:
“do not fit in with the Daisy concept of catering to the time conscious working women at her place of business.
Bill Bradshaw Daisy Stores
The stores were being phased out as the company planned to focus on its new Daisy 9 to 5 stores. The new stores will specialize in clothing for career women and be located near large office centers, like the one that opened in downtown Oakland in 1987.
Seeks Bankruptcy Protection
Oakland Tribune Feb 1989
Locations
Berkeley-2590 Bancroft Way
Danville- 356 S. Hertz
Lakeshore – 3433 Lakeshore Ave – 3300 Lakeshore
Lafayette – 971 Moraga
Marin – Town & County Village – 420
Montclair – 2020 Mountain Blvd
Pleasant Hill – 3380 Vincent Rd
Pruneyard –
San Francisco – 1 Embarcadero
Walnut Creek -1224 Broadway
More Info:
Daisy Talkington was born Gladys Warren in 1903 to Edward H. Warren and Alice Ludwig. She was raised in Oakland. She married Willard “Bill” Talkington sometime before 1938. Bill was from Washington. Daisy died in 1997
