About Us
We are 87 years of dedicated service to the women of the Oakland and Bay Area community.
We are suits, dresses, shoes, career wear, and costume jewelry - one-of-a-kind apparel for every occasion.
We are experienced buyers who know our customers.
We are knowledgeable and responsive Sales Associates who help find the right clothing and accessories for any occasion, whether an important business meeting or special family get-together, every day on the job or a joyful wedding celebration.
We are a full-service fur salon offering a complete selection of value-priced mink, fox, leather coats, jackets and accessories, providing fur storage, cleaning, monogramming and alterations. We are one of the largest collections of designer millinery in the Bay Area.
We are J. Malnick - the third generation.
J. Malnick currently occupies the Lyon Building (shown above) after a move from the Fruitvale District to Downtown Oakland.
Our History & Location
Fannie and Joseph Malnick bought The Fruitvale Toggery in 1916. Fannie later renamed the store, J. Malnick, in memory of her husband. The original store occupied a 25 x 50-foot space and specialized in yardage, ribbons and notions. Over the next 87 years the store grew to a 5,000 square-foot space serving the apparel and footwear needs of women from all over the Bay Area.
Joseph Malnick started his career manufacturing the wire frames for hats in the early 1900’s. In 2001, we opened our extensive millinery department as a service to our customers, who can now outfit themselves from head to toe. Today Malnick carries one of the largest collections of designer millinery in the Bay Area. Again, Malnick has taken the opportunity to stand at the leading edge of commercial development in their hometown. In 2002 J. Malnick purchased the Lyon Building located at 1901 Broadway Oakland, California and moved to the new location in the Spring of 2004. The move brings us into the heart of the newly revitalized “Uptown District”. The Mayor’s office endorsed the move, citing women's apparel as a target retail sector for attraction and retention for the City.
The Lyon Building, was developed by Harvey B. Lyon, the founder of Lyon Moving and Storage, in 1923. Edward T. Foulkes, the architect of the Oakland Tribune Tower, designed this two-story reinforced concrete building. The building was at the forefront of the modern commercial development of “uptown Oakland,” and the design of the building helped establish the terra cotta and Beaux Arts style that prevailed in this area through 1928, culminating in the construction of Capwell’s Department Store.
Over the years, the space has been occupied by a dry goods store, a florist, Owl Drug Store, and the original location for Kushin’s Shoes. The second floor was home to radio station KROW. Our renovations respect the past and celebrate the vitality and promise of the district’s future.
The expansive storefront and clerestory glass highlight and preserve the beauty of the original terra cotta façade. The interior features a wonderful environment for shopping and trunk shows -- new lighting, contemporary fixtures, warm inviting colors. The ground floor retail space has been extensively remodeled for comfort and convenience. Exquisite detail, including additional terra cotta tile work, carry over the classic design of the first level to the second floor office suites, where the interior has been updated and an elevator installed.
We celebrated our Grand Opening in March of 2004 and look forward to a future of distinguished fashion and dedicated service.