Peoples department store was having their annual Women's Day event in March of 1949, which would include great store savings and women employees taking over executive positions in the store for two days. Harriet Eakins was chosen as president of Peoples for this event. Left to right: William P. Fitpold, Harriet Eakins and Arlene Baer getting ready for the 31st annual Peoples department store's Women's Day event. Mr. Fitpold was the longtime president of Peoples. (T.N.T., 3/31/49, p. D-10).

Sales personnel--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma); Fitpold, William P.; Eakins, Harriet; Baer, Arlene;

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;

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;

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);

On Friday, April 22, 1938, employees at Peoples Store will reverse roles. Women are assigned to management positions and men, including company president Samuel Ewing, (seated at left), and merchandise manager Fred Carleton, (seated at right), fill work stations held by women for the day. This role reversal was offered by Peoples twice a year, and on this occasion, the employees got to elect their own officers. The employees are, left to right, standing Evelyn Knoell, Isabelle Swanson, Helen Kiracafe, Freida Belle Worden, Elsie McDaniels, Olga Miller, Hazel Kasae, Brownie Davies & G.R. Milstead. Seated are Ewing, President elect for the day Mary Youmans, Amelia Berger and Carleton. (T.Times, 4/19/38, p 14).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ewing, Samuel; Carleton, Fred; Youmans, Mary;

Samuel Ewing, president of Peoples, (with broom) and merchandise manager Fred Carleton, right, donned overalls as they prepared for the shift in stations to occur on Friday, April 22, 1938, when Peoples Store women employees took over operations and administrative duties for the day. This semiannual custom was taken very seriously by the women on staff. Their slogan for the day was "Planned, Manned and Jammed by Women." This year Mr. Ewing allowed the women to elect their own bosses rather than being appointed to the positions. Mary Youmans, personnel manager, was elected president for the day. (T.Times, 4/19/1938, p.14-alt. photograph).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ewing, Samuel; Carleton, Fred;

Two buses are stopped at the corner of 11th and Pacific in front of Peoples Store to pick up passengers in early February of 1939. Modern bus transportation had replaced the old streetcar system in mid-1938. There were now 95 up-to-date buses operated by the Tacoma Rail & Power system in the city. Routes operated over 76 miles of Tacoma streets carrying 35,000 passengers daily. A group of people dressed in suits and coats prepare to cross Pacific where the old streetcar tracks and brick pavers are visible. (T. Times, 2/8/1939, p. 21-alt. photograph, p. 22-article).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Buses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mass transit--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;

ca. 1905. Peoples department store had been featuring the latest fashions since its opening in 1888. By 1905 it was located at 1101-07 Pacific Avenue and provided an elegant atmosphere for discriminating shoppers. The abundance of flowers shown above, including sprays of lilies, probably denoted the coming of the annual spring white sales. (TNT 10-1-1963,B-4-photographs of old Peoples Store)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1905. Several saleswomen, dressed in black and white, prepare for large crowds expected at one of Peoples sales. This one was probably the annual spring white sale held circa 1905. Signs indicating item prices are prominently displayed in the clothes bins atop sturdy wood tables. Peoples department store opened in Tacoma in 1888 before moving to its longtime location at 11th & Pacific. They closed their doors in 1983.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910;

A window display at the Peoples Store in Tacoma with a sign advertising Wil Wite swimming suits and sweaters. The sign also states that Mickey Mouse will be appearing "in person" at the Fox Broadway Theater.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department Stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mickey Mouse; Bathing suits;

A person in a Mickey Mouse costume entertains a group of children at the Peoples Store in Tacoma. Three of the children are wearing bathing suits.

Mickey Mouse; Bathing suits; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma

ca. 1905. Stacks and rows of women's clothing, including coats, dresses and perhaps lingerie, on display at Peoples department store circa 1905. The store was probably getting ready for its annual spring white sales which attracted hordes of shoppers. Peoples opened in Tacoma in 1888 and remained a vibrant presence in downtown Tacoma until 1983.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1900-1910;

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;

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);

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;

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;