Gottschalks Inc. said it has named Stephen...

Gottschalks Inc. said it has named Stephen Furst to succeed Gerald Blum as president of the family-owned California department store chain.

Blum, a nephew of company founder Emil Gottschalks, announced in June that he would retire as president and chief operating officer of the 89-year-old chain.

Furst joined Gottschalks in July as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Fresno-based Gottschalks operates 26 department and specialty stores.