Topeka (store)

Last updated
Topeka
Native name
Tiendas Topeka
Industry Retail
Founded1967;56 years ago (1967)
FounderJulio Estrella
Defunct2010s
Headquarters Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Number of locations
7 (2015)
Revenue$34 million (2001)
OwnerAlmacenes Yakima Inc.
Number of employees
175+ (2015)

Tiendas Topeka (or Topeka Stores) was a large Puerto Rican department store chain. [1]

History

Like many of his fellow Cubans, Estrella arrived in Puerto Rico in the early '60s. In Cuba he had a successful miscellaneous-wholesale operation, which he decided to start up in Puerto Rico with the help of his brother and his nephew. Following the advice of a friend, who happened to be a successful merchant in New York, Estrella decided to venture into the retail business, opening the first Topeka store on Loiza Street in Santurce in 1967. "We stocked our store with some of the same articles we offered through our wholesale business and with some articles from other suppliers," recalled Estrella. “We also got a break from our friend in New York, who gave us a generous line of credit to begin our operation.” The store's offerings were revamped after Estrella's nephew noticed that Santurce needed a place where area residents could purchase articles for the home at affordable prices. Topeka's shift in inventory caused sales to double within a year, said Estrella. When the operation was generating enough sales to allow investing in advertising, Estrella placed ads in the newspaper and on the radio, which helped push sales even further. Two years later, the first Topeka store in Puerto Rico reported sales of $2 million. After the success of the Loiza Street store, the Estrellas expanded their operation, opening new stores in Hato Rey, Río Piedras, Caguas, Carolina, and Arecibo. As for the Topeka name, its origins became somewhat cloudy with time. Estrella once said it was the name of a nightclub he frequented in his native Cuba. Another possible origin is rooted in frugality. The first Topeka store opened in a location where a store called Kimbo used to be. To take advantage of the existing "K" on the store sign, the name Topeka was chosen. The better known Topeka, Kan., had a role in the company's development, as Estrella named another of his business ventures after the neighboring town of Yakima. Topeka would go on to compete with local store chains on the island over the years such as La Reina, Pitusa, and Tiendas Capri. [2]

On June 30, 1988, a new Topeka store would open at the Carolina Shopping Court in Carolina as an anchor to the mall. [3]

In 1998, Hurricane Georges would destroy the Arecibo store, and Estrella owner of Topeka Inc. decided it wouldn't be cost effective to refurbish and reopen it. [2]

On March 27, 2003, it was reported that time seemed to have stood still at Topeka Inc. The same principles upheld by the Estrella brothers when they founded the discount retail chain almost 40 years ago at the time remained the driving force behind what was a $34 million operation (based on 2001 revenue), putting it at No. 144 on the 2003 Caribbean Business list of the Top 300 locally owned companies. [2]

On January 30, 2015, Topeka would be kicking off the new year with a long-term strategic succession and expansion plan that called for a $4 million investment, the addition of three new stores, and the creation of 53 new permanent jobs, Rolando López, president of Almacenes Yakima Inc., parent company of Topeka announced. Once completed in 2016, all stores would feature a new retail image. Construction of the first new store and remodeling works of existing locations were scheduled to begin March 2015, at which time the chain will also unveil the chain’s new image. Topeka was among the island’s top 10 discount retail chains with estimated annual retail sales totaling more than $20 million. As part of the succession plan, the López family would acquire the totality of the parent company including the warehouse operation, which would also be prepared to accommodate the chain’s projected growth. Overall, construction plans called for the development of three new stores, bringing Topeka’s total number of locations up to seven once the expansion was completed in 2016. Existing stores in Río Piedras, San Juan, Bayamón and Caguas would continue to serve the thriving downtown centers they operated in, however, they would be remodeled to match the chain’s new image. Expansion efforts would translate into 53 new permanent jobs within the chain’s retail operation, bringing total head count at the time up to more than 175. Another 36 indirect jobs were expected to be created during construction. Citing strategic reasons, the Topeka store on Loiza Street, in Santurce would be closed. However, the store’s approximate 11 employees would be considered for employment within the remaining Topeka stores as well as the new locations once operational. To successfully break into the competitive shopping center arena, Topeka’s new store prototype featured the latest retail industry store-within-store design concept, providing greater retail floor space for new product categories, brand names and designer labels. To that end, Topeka would strengthen relationships with longstanding suppliers. The expansion would be supported by an integrated marketing strategy, including more comprehensive shoppers, targeted promotions and public relations initiatives. [4]

Related Research Articles

Pueblo is a Puerto Rican supermarkets chain. It has been one of Puerto Rico's major supermarket chains since 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza Las Américas</span> Shopping mall in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Plaza Las Américas is a shopping mall in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, located at the intersection of Routes 18 and 22. "Plaza", as it is known to many Puerto Ricans, was the first indoor shopping mall built in Puerto Rico. It is the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean and the second largest in Latin America. Anchor stores are JCPenney, Macy's, Sears, Sears Brand Central, Forever 21, Old Navy, Caribbean Cinemas and Marshalls. Previously, there was a Kmart store near the mall.

Amigo Supermarkets is a chain of supermarkets located in Puerto Rico and owned by Pueblo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmacias El Amal</span> Defunct pharmacy chain in Puerto Rico

Farmacias El Amal, was a regional pharmacy chain operating throughout Puerto Rico. At its peak, it operated more than 60 pharmacies across Puerto Rico. The chain was privately held and was founded in 1973. It's largest competitors were Walgreens, Kmart and Walmart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps</span> Puerto Rico Fire Department

The Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps (PRFC); is the statewide fire department that provides fire protection, rescue, and protection from other hazards in the U.S. Estado Asociado Libre of Puerto Rico. It was established in 1942 under the Puerto Rico Fire Services. In addition, it offers fire protection services to all the airports under the authority of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Rafael Hernández Airport, and Mercedita Airport and they serve as crash rescue divisions. A separate agency, the Puerto Rico Medical Emergency Corps, provides emergency medical services to all Puerto Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza del Caribe</span> Shopping mall in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Plaza del Caribe is an enclosed shopping mall located in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is owned by Empresas Fonalledas, and is the largest mall in southern Puerto Rico. The mall is located at the intersection of Puerto Rico Highway 2 and Highway 12. The anchor stores are JCPenney and Macy's. A former third anchor store, Sears, closed in February 2020.

Plaza Carolina is an enclosed shopping mall located in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Anchored by JCPenney, TJ Maxx, Caribbean Cinemas, Burlington and Forever 21, it features 161 stores, making it the second largest mall in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The mall has a food court in its second floor and several offices in its third floor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza Rio Hondo</span> Shopping mall in Bayamón, Puerto Rico

Plaza Rio Hondo is a shopping mall in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. It opened in 1982 and is anchored by Marshalls Megastore, Caribbean Cinemas, TJ Maxx, and Best Buy, with one vacant anchor spot last occupied by a Kmart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza del Carmen Mall</span> Shopping mall located in Caguas, Puerto Rico

Plaza del Carmen Mall is a two-story enclosed shopping mall in Caguas, Puerto Rico. It is currently anchored by an Outlet China; a discount store, a Grand Way; a department store, and an Advance Auto Parts. It is also home to a Farmacias Caridad; a pharmacy. It was formerly also anchored by a Fallas Discount Stores which closed in 2020, the space remaining vacant.

Pitusa was a chain of department stores operating in Puerto Rico. It was one of the largest Puerto Rican store companies and a competitor of another chain on the island Topeka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Las Catalinas Mall</span> Shopping mall located in Caguas, Puerto Rico

Shops at Caguas, formerly known as Las Catalinas Mall, is an enclosed shopping mall located in Caguas, Puerto Rico, United States. The mall opened in 1997, and is currently anchored by a Sector Sixty6 entertainment center which took up space of a vacant Kmart, one of the original anchor tenants of the mall. A former original anchor tenant, Sears, closed their store in February 2021, the anchor space has sat vacant since the closure of the store. The mall is home to the first "Large Premium Format" movie theater in Puerto Rico and second in the Caribbean region at the time of its opening, which is owned and managed by Caribbean Cinemas.

The Plaza Noroeste Commercial Center is a community shopping center under construction in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmacias Moscoso</span> Defunct pharmacy chain in Puerto Rico

Farmacias Moscoso, commonly known as Moscoso, was a Puerto Rican pharmacy chain that evolved into a large company from its creation in Ponce, Puerto Rico during 1898. It was first known as Droguerías Moscoso.

Deportes Salvador Colom is a Puerto Rican sporting goods retailing company. The company has been in business for seven decades. It was established during 1951.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">González Padín</span> Defunct chain of high-end department stores in Puerto Rico

González Padín was a high-end department store based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The chain which operated in Puerto Rico at its peak had 10 stores. The chain closed in 1995, and at the time of closure it was the biggest and oldest department store on the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Department Stores</span> Defunct chain of department stores in Puerto Rico

New York Department Stores was a chain of department stores operating in Puerto Rico.

Es de Velasco or mostly just known as "Velasco" was a chain of high-end department stores operating in Puerto Rico. The chain was later bought out by its main competitor González Padín in 1991 and closed in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Outlets at Montehiedra</span> Shopping mall located in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Outlets At Montehiedra, formerly known as the Montehiedra Town Center, is an enclosed shopping mall in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Anchor stores for the mall are a Marshalls MegaStore, Tiendas Capri, Old Navy, and a Home Depot as an out parcel. The former Kmart, which served as an anchor to the mall from the very beginning which closed in 2021, has found replacement by a Ralph's Food Warehouse and a TJ Maxx. The mall also features a 14-screen Caribbean Cinemas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza Centro Mall</span> Shopping mall located in Caguas, Puerto Rico

Plaza Centro Mall is an enclosed shopping mall located in Caguas, Puerto Rico. The mall opened in 1986, and is currently anchored by a JCPenney, Sam's Club, Costco, and Burlington. It also has other major tenants such as a Party City, OfficeMax, Planet Fitness, Chuck E. Cheese, and a PetSmart. It was formerly anchored by a Kmart in its original shopping center portion which closed in 2020. The mall is divided in two portions, Plaza Centro I which opened in 1986 as an outdoor shopping center, and Plaza Centro II which opened between 1999 and 2000 as the enclosed mall portion.

References

  1. Ryan, Frances (January 30, 2015). "Retail chain Topeka kicks off $4M expansion, new design". News is My Business. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Rentas-Giusti, Laura (27 March 2003). "Where timeless values live on". Caribbean Business. p. 46. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. "El Mundo 1988.06.30 — Archivo digital de El Mundo". gpa.eastview.com. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  4. "Retail chain Topeka kicks off $4M expansion, new design". News is My Business. 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2023-09-06.