At the turn of the century , Mary Ann ’s four sons entered the business . While John Magnin , Grover Magnin , and Sam Magnin became associated with the I. Magnin store , the fourth son , Joseph Magnin , became known for his own store ( '' Joseph Magnin Co. '' ) . The 1906 earthquake and fire leveled the San Francisco store with the remainder of the downtown area . The store reopened in new quarters at 50 Grant Avenue at Geary Boulevard in 1912 . During the 1910s , the chain opened shops in six high-end hotels in California . The Los Angeles Wilshire Boulevard branch ( opened in 1939 ) and the Union Square store ( opened in 1948 ) were among the most elegant in America . When designer Christian Dior visited , he toured the Union Square store , and called it the " White Marble Palace "
earthquake and fire
1906 San Francisco earthquake
I. Magnin