Baumova pozorišna karijera nije bila nešto uspešna, tako da su on i njegova supruga Mad preselili u Aberdin u Dakoti 1888.-e. Tu je on otvorio prodavnicu pod imenom 'Baumov Bazar'.
Baum's theatrical career met with little success so in 1888 he and his wife Maud moved to Aberdeen Dakota Territory where he opened a store known as Baum's bazaar.