SHERMAN OAKS : Quake-Hit Bullock’s to Reopen Top Level

With a new star taking the place of the apostrophe in its logo and new walls replacing those shattered in the Northridge earthquake, the Bullock’s store in Sherman Oaks Fashion Square mall will reopen its fourth floor with celebrations Oct. 18, 22 and 23.

From celebrities to fashion shows to a benefit shopping day for charity, the store is hoping three days of special events will help lure shoppers back to its top level--shoppers who were turned away after the Jan. 17 temblor.

Bullock’s lower levels were less heavily damaged. The first two floors reopened in June and the third floor in July. With the reopening of the fourth floor, which will house such departments as lingerie and special-sized clothing, shoppers will be able to see the full extent of a massive refurbishing project, company spokeswoman Merle Goldstone said. The earthquake offered “an opportunity to give it a new look,” Goldstone said of the store. “It’s lighter and brighter.”

That new look includes a beige stucco facade, new carpeting and that new star-cum-apostrophe on the sign. Long a trademark of parent company R. H. Macy, the star was recently added to the 21-store Bullock’s logo. And since the Sherman Oaks store is the first to use it, company officials had a star in the Milky Way named “Bullock’s Sherman Oaks.”

On Oct. 18, the store plans a benefit shopping day to raise funds for 25 nonprofit health and social service groups. A $10 benefit ticket provides special discounts, cooking demonstrations and more, with the ticket proceeds going to the charities. Other events include live jazz, calypso and blues music, cooking demonstrations and a fashion show. Beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 22, kids can leave their handprints in wet cement at the home store entrance on the lower level. A fortune teller, guest chef and television actors Teresa Hill and James Wilder of Fox TV’s “Models Inc.” will be among others on hand during the day.

On Oct. 23, customers who spot one of several roaming celebrities will receive a gift from Universal Studios and the kids can prepare for Halloween by having their faces painted.