our history since 1909

The Emporium Western Store, a familiar local landmark at 1031 19th St. in Bakersfield, California, started over 110 years ago and has been serving valued customers ever since. The store was founded in 1909 as a true "emporium" or general store in the heart of downtown Bakersfield. In 1928, it was purchased by Isaac Rubin, grandfather of the current owners, and has remained in the family through three generations. In 1946, the store's operation passed to Rubin's daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Al Goldwater. In 1948, Al Goldwater began to convert the store into a specialty Western clothing store, one of the first in California, and changed the name from "The Emporium" to "Emporium Western Store." The Emporium Western Store is currently owned and operated by the Goldwaters' two children, Stephen Goldwater and Carol Goldwater Durst.