ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 9, 1996 TAG: 9612090078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER
Frederick Bulbin, former president of Samuel Spigel Inc., died Friday at the Virginia Veterans Care Center. He was 76.
Bulbin and his late wife, Maxine Spigel Bulbin, ran the exclusive women's clothing store on South Jefferson Street. The family business, started by Maxine Bulbin's father in 1920, closed in 1991 after years of financial problems.
Sigmund Davidson, chairman of the board of Davidson's, knew Bulbin for many years. The Spigel store was down the street from Davidson's, a men's clothing store.
"Fred was very active in the community in many ways, both the total community and the Jewish community," Davidson said. Bulbin was past president and trustee of Temple Emanuel, where he taught for more than 25 years.
He also held numerous civic posts, including Rotary Club president and member of the Downtown Roanoke Inc. and Roanoke Merchants Association boards.
Spigel's catered to each customer's needs; when the family took buying trips to New York, they often shopped with specific customers in mind, Davidson said.
No merchandise was on display in the store. Instead, customers took a seat and sales clerks and sometimes the Bulbins brought out clothes they thought a specific customer would like.
"We catered to people who were interested in better quality merchandise," Davidson said. "For the mature female customer, [Spigel's] was the outstanding store, by far."
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Temple Emanuel.
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