California Apparel News

Ralph Barnes, operations director at the prominent Beverly Center mall in Los Angeles, has been promoted to general manager, it was announced recently.

Barnes joined Beverly Center in 2008 and served as director of facilities. In early 2013, he was promoted to the center’s director of operations. Barnes said that he has worked with almost every aspect of the mall’s business.

“My experience with tenants, leasing and working with various city departments, as well as day-to-day operations, lends a perspective that will continue to be helpful in delivering the vision of the company as well as ensuring an unparalleled experience for our shoppers and retailers here at Beverly Center,” Barnes said in a company statement.

Barnes succeeds Jeff Brown, who left the Beverly Center in July. Brown had served as general manager since August 2006. Beverly Center declined to state why Brown left. Since Brown’s departure, Beverly Center has been run by a team of the mall’s managers, which included Barnes and Susan Vance, director of marketing and sponsorship.

Beverly Center is owned by Taubman Centers Inc., a Bloomfield Hills, Mich.–based company that owns, manages or leases 28 regional and outlet retail centers in America and Asia. Beverly Center tenants include Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Saint Laurent and Salvatore Ferragamo. The center is anchored by Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. The Beverly Center also is the address for H&M, XXI Forever and Love Culture.