Roos Bros.

Born in Wissembourg, France, the Roos Brothers, Adolphe (b. 1837) and Hyppolite (b. 1844) arrived in San Francisco in 1864, opening their first clothing store on Leidsdorf Street the following year. The store was so successful that, in 1866, it moved to a larger location at Kearny & Post Streets, where they were joined in business by their younger brother Achille.

After graduating from college, Adolphe’s son Robert (b. 1883) joined the firm and before long, became known as a visionary businessman and civic leader. In the early years of the 20th century, Roos Bros. Inc. expanded to a chain of nine stores in northern and central California.

During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt appointed Robert Roos to the retail advisory board for the National Recovery Administration. In 1937, the new Roos Bros. at Market & Stockton Streets was touted as one of the world’s most beautiful and unique stores.

In 1958, Roos Bros. was sold to San Francisco clothier, Edward H. Gauer of the Robert S. Atkins Clothing Co., which he had owned since 1945. The stores continued to operate as Roos-Atkins. After World War ll the chain expanded to 51 stores before it merged with Genesco in 1967. By the 1980s sales had declined, and by the early 1990s all locations had been closed or sold to other retailers.

Written by Ranch Queen Vintage