Questrom Reportedly Seeks Neiman Post

Allen I. Questrom, 48, former chairman of Bullock’s and Bullocks Wilshire, is negotiating to become chairman and chief executive of Neiman-Marcus, according to several retailing executives who say he would replace Richard C. Marcus, son of one of the chain’s noted former executives.

Janine Dusossoit, a spokeswoman for General Cinema, was asked Wednesday when an announcement would be made that Questrom was taking over as chairman of Neiman-Marcus. Without confirming or denying that such was the case, she said only that no announcement would be made about top-level changes at the chain until next week at the earliest.

The 22-store chain has been without a president since the resignation last November of David Dworkin. Dworkin, now president and chief executive at Bonwit Teller, recently filed a $9-million lawsuit against General Cinema Corp. and Neiman-Marcus Group alleging breach of contract and fraud. The suit also names Carter Hawley Hale Stores, the Los Angeles-based retailer that last summer spun off Neiman-Marcus and two other specialty chains to a new company controlled by General Cinema.

Dworkin alleges in his suit that General Cinema refused to honor his “evergreen” contract granted by Carter Hawley Hale.

Sources in the industry say Terry Lundgren, former president of Bullocks Wilshire, and Frank Doroff, former Bullock’s president, declined the post of president at Neiman-Marcus. Questrom, these sources say, has been under consideration for chairman for at least two months.

Richard Marcus, 49, is the son of legendary merchant Stanley Marcus, who was chief executive of the chain for more than 20 years. An ouster of the younger Marcus would sever the family’s ties with the company. Richard Marcus could not be reached for comment.