The Peoples Store at South 11th and Pacific was in the middle of its three year program of modernization when this photograph of its exterior was taken late March, 1941. A painter on scaffolding can be seen near the top of the building as painting of the department store's exterior has just commenced. Peoples was a longtime fixture in downtown Tacoma as it began operations in 1895. The store constantly ran ads in the local newspapers with their slogan "more merchandise for less money." It would finally close in 1983.

Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior of Peoples Store after painting with new window awnings. The Peoples Store was founded in 1888. Their first consignment of merchandise left from New York City for the West on December 7, 1988. Newspapers followed the progress of the 27 train cars of goods as they traveled from NYC to the new western metropolis of Tacoma. On December 2, 1892, a retail store was opened at 19th and Pacific. It was first known as Garetson, Woodruff and Pratt. In 1896, the Peoples Store moved to this location at 11th and Pacific. When the store closed in 1983, it had operated at this location for 87 years. It was remodeled and opened as the Puget Sound Plaza in 1985.

Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma);

The Peoples Department Store at 1101-07 Pacific Avenue formally opened their new first floor mezzanine on Saturday, August 12, 1950. The new addition held men's clothing, boys' ready-to-wear and both the men's and boys' shoe departments. The newly remodeled men's furnishings and ladies' shoe departments were located on the first floor, with new modern fixtures, carpets and tiles throughout the area. A wide, carpeted stairway with streamlined aluminum guard rails was built to lead to the new mezzanine floor from the main center aisle. 3400 square feet of retail sales space had been added. Peoples, which had opened at 11th and Pacific in 1895, closed in 1983 - the last large department store to leave downtown Tacoma. (TNT 8-11-50, p. 6)

Peoples (Tacoma); Mezzanines--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Peoples Department Store employees. Portrait of seventeen women and eight men posing on sales floor. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum)

Department stores--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma)--People;

Built in 1895 at the corner of South 11th Street and Pacific Avenue, the Peoples building was originally planned for three stories, but lower than expected costs allowed for a four story building. Peoples closed in 1983. The building was remodeled and renamed Puget Sound Plaza in 1985 and served as offices for Puget Sound National Bank's trust department, private banking, commercial lending, international department and several bank operations divisions. Several smaller retail spaces were available on the lower level. Starbuck's Coffee opened a franchise in the corner location in the early 1990's.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business districts--Tacoma;

On May 28, 1921, a long line of cars was photographed in front of People's department store, 1101-07 Pacific Ave, and extending down the street past the Bankers Trust Building and nearly to the Puget Sound Bank building. Each car has a sign in its windshield that says, "People's Store - Tacoma - Motor Club."

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Eight members of the Peoples 1965-66 Fashion Teen Board posed with Hannah Spangler, fashion director, on August 31, 1965, in the store's new teen department. The girls represented various private and public high schools in the area. Kris Skalitzky of Curtis High School (far left) holds a sample of the stylish new clothing that the store would be carrying. Posed on the small riser were: (l to r) Peg Jewell of Wilson High School, Mary Helen Lochridge of Mt. Tahoma, Wendy Hokenson of Lincoln High School, Sue Ballman of Franklin Pierce holding a new issue of Seventeen Magazine, Helen Croasdill of Lakes High School, Susan Monaghan of Aquinas, and Peggy Rowlands of Stadium. A new beauty workshop involving the teens opened on September 8, 1965. The Peoples Store was located at 1101-07 Pacific Avenue; it closed in 1983. (TNT 9-7-65, p. 11) Photograph ordered by News Tribune.

Teenagers; Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Spangler, Hannah; Skalitzky, Kris; Jewell, Peg; Lochridge, Mary Helen; Hokenson, Wendy; Ballman, Sue; Croasdill, Helen; Monaghan, Susan; Rowlands, Peggy;

Eight members of the Peoples Fashion Teen Board for 1965-66 listen to fashion director Hannah Spangler at the store's new teen department on August 31, 1965. The girls are dressed identically with dark fishnet stockings, white turtlenecks, vests and plaid skirts. They represented various public and private high schools in the area. Wendy Hokenson of Lincoln High School is standing closest to Miss Spangler. Next are: Mary Helen Lochridge of Mt. Tahoma, Kris Skalitzky of Curtis High School, Peg Jewell of Wilson High School and Susan Monaghan of Aquinas. Seated are Peggy Rowlands of Stadium, Helen Croasdill of Lakes High School and Sue Ballman of Franklin Pierce. Photograph ordered by News Tribune.

Teenagers; Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Spangler, Hannah; Hokenson, Wendy; Lochridge, Mary Helen; Skalitzky, Kris; Jewell, Peg; Monaghan, Susan; Rowlands, Peggy; Croasdill, Helen; Ballman, Sue;

As part of the 77th Anniversary celebration of the Peoples department store chain, the Mercy Boys rock band with lead singer Jim Brady (later of the Sonics) played on October 9, 1965 in the Junior World Department of their flagship store in downtown Tacoma, 1101-07 Pacific Avenue. Also appearing at the store was Australian TV star and disc jockey Rhett Hamilton Walker 1st, or R.H.W. One as he was officially known on KOL radio. His show was broadcast daily from 3 to 6 p.m. The Peoples store closed in 1983 and was remodeled becoming the Puget Sound Plaza in 1985. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 10-5-65, D-1) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-9173

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Musicians--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mercy Boys (Tacoma);

Remodeling - Peoples. By the spring of 1969, the second floor of Peoples department store in downtown Tacoma had undergone extensive remodeling. In this May 2, 1969, photograph, mannequins strike a jaunty pose while wearing the latest fashions. Hemlines were still well above the knee and patterns bold and splashed with color. The dresses would be suitable for everyday college or office wear. Peoples was having a spectacular spring sale at the time; stylish dresses could be purchased for as little as $13. Photograph ordered by Peoples.

Mannequins; Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The remodeling of Peoples flagship store in downtown Tacoma also included updating the Sportswear section on the second floor. A glimpse into the Sportswear area on May 2, 1969, shows crowded racks of pants on spinners and shirts hung on the wall. Folded casualwear is piled high on convenient shelving. A pair of mannequins dressed in the latest styles are posed adjacent to the Sportwear; a functioning jukebox is plugged in next to them. Photograph ordered by Peoples.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mannequins; Jukeboxes;

Even into the late '60s, wigs were frequently advertised and purchased by women desiring a change of hairstyles or to supplement what nature had originally given them. Peoples downtown Tacoma store had extensively remodeled their second floor which included the Wig Boutique. The store had hired expert stylists to offer advice and fittings. This May 2, 1969, photograph shows the wide variety of styles and colors of wigs on sale. Pre-styled human hair wigs, machine-tied, were on sale at the time for $29.95. Wigboxes and styrofoam heads were included to transport the items home. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT ad 4-30-69, B-2)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wigs;

The Berkline Corporation was one of the sponsors of the Junior Achievement award for Father of the Year. The recipient in 1969 was Frank Gurtner, one of the gentlemen above in the Peoples furniture section. The Berkline Corporation manufactured Naugahyde recliners which had the rich appearance of leather and were easy to clean. Photograph ordered by Peoples.

Gurtner, Frank; Chairs; Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Frank Gurtner received an award naming him "Father of the Year" from the Junior Achievement on June 2, 1969. He was honored for his contributions to his community, his family and to Junior Achievement. The award was sponsored by the Berkline Corporation and Uniroyal, Inc. Photograph ordered by Peoples.

Gurtner, Frank; Awards;

Ladies wear at Peoples. This section featuring fashionable ladies wear is believed to have been taken at Peoples downtown store in October of 1970. Both pant suits and one-piece jumpers appear to be popular items. Peoples had three locations in the local area including one in Lakewood and another in Lacey. By 1970, the store advertised Sunday shopping hours, possibly to compete with the Tacoma Mall. This photograph was part of a full page ad in the News Tribune on November 4, 1970. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT ad 11-4-70, D-12

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Sportswear department - Peoples. A large section of fashionable sportswear awaits customers of the Peoples department store in October of 1970. Racks are packed with women's clothing, including both bold prints and plain solids. Peoples had recently completely remodeled their second floor and invited customers to come take a look at the variety of women's stylish fashions. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 11-4-70, D-12)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Wig department - Peoples. In 1970 women were still sporting wigs and Peoples department store had a special wig boutique with many styles on display. A wig specialist helps a customer adjust a bouffant model while gazing in the large mirror. Shorter, curlier wigs in a variety of colors seem to be the trendy look. This photograph was part of a full page ad in the News Tribune's November 4, 1970, edition. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT ad 11-4-70, D-12)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wigs;

Foundations department - Peoples. The women's foundations section at Peoples in October of 1970 displayed a wide variety of undergarments including slips, bras, panties and nightgowns. A small sign advised customers to "Stretch on - Shape up!" Peoples had recently remodeled their second floor featuring women's clothing and accessories; this photograph was part of a full page ad in the News Tribune's November 4th issue. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 11-4-70, D-12)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Underwear; Signs (Notices);

Shoe department - Peoples. In 1970, ladies shoes and handbags were displayed at Peoples not in racks cluttering the floor but on shelves in recessed walls and in open cabinets. One tree rack of leather boots was located near a mirrored column. A few comfortable modern chairs were set back-to-back with foot stools. This left an impression of spaciousness and elegance. The women's shoe department was located on the first floor; this photograph was part of a full page advertisement in the November 4, 1970, News Tribune. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 11-4-70, D-12)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Shoes;

Body Shop at Peoples. August, 1971, view of colorful "Body Shop" display on the second floor of the Peoples department store. These were eye-catching long sleeved body suits in a variety of vibrant colors including a purple one-piece outfit on a green chrome stand. Color photograph ordered by Peoples.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;