Rhodes arrives in California: the 1950s expansion
Rhodes began its journey as part of Western Department Stores, which included regional chains like Kahn’s in Oakland and Olds & King in Portland. The flagship Rhodes store opened in Sacramento at Country Club Centre on November 12, 1954, marking the brand’s entry into California retail.
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| The Rhodes flagship store opened in 1954 at Sacramento’s Country Club Centre, marking the brand’s California debut. |
Throughout the late 1950s, Rhodes expanded steadily. In 1959, the Rhodes Fresno store opened, anchoring Manchester Center. By 1960, Western Department Stores rebranded many of its outlets, including Kahn’s locations, under the Rhodes name, increasing the chain’s presence across the Bay Area.
The 1960s: growth and rebranding
1960: Kahn’s Oakland store at 15th and Broadway officially became Rhodes.
1960: Rhodes Concord, formerly Kahn’s at Park N Shop (opened 1957), also switched to the Rhodes brand.
1960: Rhodes Southgate opened at Southgate Shopping Center in Sacramento.
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| Rhodes Southgate store, opened in 1960 at Southgate Shopping Center, served Sacramento shoppers for 15 years before becoming Liberty House. |
1963: Rhodes Palo Alto launched in the San Antonio Shopping Center in Mountain View.
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| Artist’s rendering of the Rhodes store at San Antonio Shopping Center in Mountain View, unveiled in 1963. |
This period saw Rhodes grow to become a significant regional player, with multiple stores serving Bay Area communities.
The early 1970s: RhodesWAY and Amfac’s acquisition
In 1969, Amfac of Hawaii acquired Rhodes Western, bringing a new vision to the chain: introduce Hawaii’s Liberty House department store to the mainland.
In 1971, after acquiring Baza’r stores, Amfac launched RhodesWAY, a discount store concept aimed at attracting budget-conscious shoppers. RhodesWAY grew quickly but only lasted two years before closing in 1973. Most RhodesWAY locations shut down, except for the Dublin store, which was upgraded to a full Rhodes store in late 1972.
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| Originally a RhodesWAY store in Dublin opened October 1971, upgraded to full Rhodes on November 1, 1972 before transitioning to Liberty House in 1975. Amfac intended to replace the store with a a 32-store enclosed mall, then build a new Rhodes, but it never materialized. |
The transition to Liberty House: mid-1970s rebranding
By 1973, Rhodes and Liberty House merged marketing efforts into a single mainland division, although stores retained their Rhodes signage temporarily.
1974: Rhodes Palo Alto converted to Liberty House.
1975: Rhodes Country Club, Fresno, Oakland, Concord, Southgate, and Dublin stores were all rebranded as Liberty House.
This marked the end of the Rhodes name on the West Coast.
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| A 1973 ad marks the merger of Rhodes and Liberty House, promising shoppers the best of both stores. Also featured: a $70 calculator—worth nearly a full paycheck back then. |
The final chapter: Liberty House’s decline
Liberty House continued operating on the mainland until April 12, 1987, when it finally closed, signaling the end of another era of mid-century department stores.
Key Rhodes locations and dates
Rhodes Country Club (Sacramento): 1954–May 9, 1975
Rhodes Fresno: 1959–1975
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| The former Rhodes department store at Fresno’s Manchester Center—once a bustling retail anchor in the 1960s—now houses CalTrans offices. The building’s distinctive mid-century façade still hints at its department store past, even as its purpose has shifted from commerce to civic use. |
Rhodes Oakland: September 6, 1960–March 14, 1975
Rhodes Concord: September 6, 1960–May 9, 1975
Rhodes Southgate (Sacramento): October 27, 1960–1975
Rhodes Palo Alto (Mountain View): October 4, 1963–September 12, 1974
Rhodes Golden Hills (Dublin): 1972–March 14, 1975 (started as RhodesWAY in 1971)
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