Arlan's - Detroit MI

Address: 20970 Telegraph Rd
City: Detroit
State: MI
Zip: 48033
County: Wayne
Number of visits to this page: 3238
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Personal recollection: I remember going here as a kid with my mom to look at the record albums while she shopped for other household items and clothing. I always thought Arlan's was a Michigan-based chain but it was not.

From Wikipedia

Arlan's was founded in 1945 by William, Herbert, and Lester Palestine in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

In 1963, executives tried to start talks with King's of Newton, Massachusetts, regarding a merger. These plans were briefly revived in 1966.

Arlan's opened its 50th store in Cudahy, Wisconsin in 1965. At this point, the chain had $174 million in revenue, and stores in 18 states from Maine to Colorado. It also owned 18 locations of a toy store called Play World.The chain peaked in size at 119 stores in 1970, by which time the company began experiencing heavy operating losses. The losses would later be attributed, in part, to an expansion strategy that was too geographically diverse for the chain's size, leading to inefficient distribution. In 1971, Arlan's explored the possibility of filing for bankruptcy, but it was concluded that such an action would be premature. That same year, Arlan's sold 16 stores to Target.

n May 1973, two years after the resignation of co-founder Herbert Palestine, Arlan's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. By that time, the chain had contracted to 73 stores. An ambitious plan to revive sales during the Christmas 1973 season, called "Mission Impossible" by company insiders and executed without disclosure to, or approval of, the court, failed to turn the chain's fortunes around and an additional 38 stores closed by January 1974. The Securities and Exchange Commission successfully petitioned the court to have the bankruptcy converted to Chapter 10. The chain continued to shrink dramatically under bankruptcy as losses mounted and Arlan's liquidated its final ten stores in early 1975 by order of the bankruptcy court. Subsequent court rulings would document various unethical practices by Arlan's legal representatives, regarding fees and a lack of candor.

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 Photos:6
Arlans - Screen Cap From Nuttyarchives Youtube Channel
Screen Cap From Nuttyarchives Youtube Channel
Arlans - Allen Park Store From Downriver History And Facts
Allen Park Store From Downriver History And Facts
Arlans - Arlans At Old Packard Plant
Arlans At Old Packard Plant
Arlans - 1962 Newspaper Ad
1962 Newspaper Ad
Arlans - 2020 Street View - Pretty Sure This Is The Building
2020 Street View - Pretty Sure This Is The Building
Arlans - Bankruptcy May 5 1973
Bankruptcy May 5 1973
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