The two big Barneys sales -- the warehouse, and the whole company
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I am so tickled to hear that our own billionaire Ron Burkle is bidding to buy Barneys New York.
I remember how I just seethed when our own native California department stores like Robinson’s were taken over by that Big Apple chain with the big appetite, Macy’s.
So maybe it’s poetic justice that Ron Burkle -- who rose from bagboy in his father’s grocery to become the owner of Ralphs grocery stores, another native California chain -- wants to buy the New York store, the one that sells a virtually unlimited line of clothes in the signature colors of Team New York: black, and black.
Instead of ‘’paper or plastic?’’ salespeople can ask, ‘silk or cotton?’’
I already feel some affection toward Barneys. Its big semi-annual warehouse sale started last week in downtown Los Angeles, at the Convention Center, and that’s the part I’m happy about. Finally, something that timid Westsiders will dare to drive east and cross La Brea for: a black cashmere Italian turtleneck at 50% off. The sale continues through Monday.
-- Patt Morrison
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Top photo: Rebbeca Russ, 23, left, gets help from her friend Kelsey Gunn, 23, in trying out a dress at last season’s Barney New York sale at Los Angeles Convention Center. Photo credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times. Bottom photo: Ron Burkle. Photo credit: Chester Higgins Jr. / New York Times
