Fisher's Department Store opened their bargain basement to the public on August 18, 1949; they advertised this department as the first of its kind in Tacoma. This was one of the first moves made by the store during their large expansion project. Interior view of Fisher's bargain basement; view of house dresses for $1.99 and $2.98, house coats for $3.29, dresses for $4.99 and half size dresses for $7.98 (T.N.T., 8/17/49, p. 10-11 & 8/18/49, p. 6).

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Mercantile facilities--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

Fisher's Department Store has been in Tacoma for 60 years at the time of this October, 1945 photograph. They had recently completed a $500,000 expansion and modernization project, which helps them serve their customers better. View of three unidentified Fisher's Department Store window dressers; they are setting up a wedding and chrysanthemum display, featuring a bride and flower girl in the Bridal Room.

Mannequins; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

John Keeler, managing director of the Bon Marche department store, accepts an office mural of the new Slenderella International Salon from Larry Mack, president of Slenderella, on January 17, 1956. Vice president of West Coast operations, Irene Ward, elegantly dressed in a fur wrap, stands between the two men. As its name hints, Slenderella was a weight reducing salon. It would soon open in downtown Tacoma on the sixth floor of the Bon Marche building and be managed by Mrs. Vera Jones. Although Slenderella had 100 stores worldwide, the Tacoma location would be the first in a western department store. Photograph ordered by News Tribune. (TNT 1-22-56, B-5)

Slenderella International, Inc. (Tacoma); Weight loss--Tacoma; Keeler, John; Mack, Larry; Ward, Irene;

Junior League at Fisher's Department Store. Woman shopping in the hat department. Hats are displayed on stands at many different heights. To the right is a seat and mirror for trying on hats. On September 9, 1935, members of the League will take control of the store for 1 day. More than 50 members will fill in as managers, clerks, models and co-workers for the regular store personnel. In exchange, a percentage of the day's receipts will be donated to League charities. (T. Times 8/20/1935)

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1930-1940; Millinery; Hats;

An unidentified sales clerk at Fisher's Department Store teaches a Junior League member the finer points of selling lingerie. The League member is learning how to sell lingerie in preparation for the League's take over of the store on Sept. 9, 1935. About 50 members filled in that day as managers, clerks and models. Fisher's contributed a portion of the day's proceeds to Junior League charities, including their baby clinic and their library at the County Hospital. (T. Times 8/20/1935)

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lingerie;

Junior League at Fisher's Department Store. Two women in "Co-Ed Shop." The Junior League will put on their work aprons, roll up their sleeves and work alongside regular employees at Fisher's on September 9, 1935. In exchange, a portion of the day's profits will be donated to League charities. (T. Times 8/20/1935)

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This photograph, taken on November 17, 1937, shows the Fisher's department store on the corner of 11th and Broadway. Designed by Frederick Heath, and built in 1905 by the Stone-Fisher Company, it was the home to Fisher's until they were taken over by the Bon Marche. The Bon Marche occupied the building from 1952 to 1964 when they moved to the Tacoma Mall. Today the main part of the building is occupied by the Columbia Bank-Broadway Plaza Branch. (T. Times)

Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

Circa 1910.

Fisher's Department Store, 1104 Broadway. Photograph of crowd several feet deep outside Fisher's store in June of 1931. Vaudeville act in window. Girls in costume, with trumpets, stand on store marquee. Photo for Fox Broadway Theater Bowen # 310-2406

Camille Pessemier, of Pessemier's Bootery at 927 Broadway, shows formal shoe styles to Betty Martin (Baker.) Miss Martin (later Baker) tries on a shiny, strappy evening shoe. Studio records indicate photographs taken for the Junior League at Fisher's Department Store. The Junior League would be running the Tacoma department store on September 9, 1935 in exchange for a portion of the day's proceeds to benefit their charitable ventures. Both Miss Martin and Mr. Pessemier's wife were participating Junior League members. (T. Times 8/20/1935)

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baker, Betye M.; Pessemier, Camille;

ca. 1934. Repairing windstorm damage at Fisher's Department Store circa 1934. (filed with Argentum)

Fishers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Window display at Fisher's Department Store advertising Afifi Shrine Temple's third pilgrimage to China. The tour would be leaving Tacoma January 7, 1933. Illustrations including the Great Wall, Chinese clothing and accessories, model of sailing junk, mannequin in dress and coat beside globe.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

One of the features of National Education Week in 1939 was a dressmaking class display inside a Fisher's Department Store window. Stadium High students Edrys Berg (at left) and Ruth Webb put finishing touches to an outfit credited to Phyllis Walters of Lincoln High School. Proud parents and curious customers were able to observe students in action behind the large glass-plate store windows. Students from elementary to senior high levels demonstrated skills and achievements, often in downtown store window displays, during November's National Education Week. (T. Times, 11-10-1939, p.18)

Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Berg, Edrys; Webb, Ruth; Seamstresses; Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

Five young women modeled petticoats in March of 1948 for the "Petticoats Pay Off" fashion show at Fisher's Department Store, 1104 Broadway. Three of them have been identified as : (l-r) Marjie Joy Miller (later known as actress Marjie Millar), Barbara Michaelson (now Barbara Diamond) and Corinne Sule. Fisher's held a series of "Saturday Style Shows" on the store's 3rd Floor. The full page ad in the News Tribune declared: "Fisher's is ready with wonderful styles that have all the swish, the rustle, and come-hither that make petticoats so popular." The unidentified intimate apparel employee at the far right announced each model and style. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Lingerie; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miller, Marjie Joy; Michaelson, Barbara; Sule, Corinne;

Fisher's Department Store was featuring Johnson & Johnson baby products in their store window display. The window had a mannequin dressed as a nurse standing next to a baby bassinet. An infant scale, blankets and a stork poster all compliment the Johnson & Johnson products display, which includes: baby lotion, baby powder, baby oil and a baby gift pack. All items could be found on Fisher's second floor.

Mannequins; Department stores--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays; Johnson & Johnson; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

Fisher's is installing an escalator inside their department store. Plywood has been used to surface the outside of the opening where the escalator will be placed. Supporting columns and various pipes are seen outside the area enclosed by plywood. Counters are filled with children's hats and clothing. A sign points the way to infant's wear, girls wear, infants furniture and toyland. A sales area with a cash register is seen in the center by one of the columns.

Department stores--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Escalators--Tacoma;

Santa Claus has joined a group from Puget Sound National Bank at Fisher's Toy Department. The group have gathered for their portrait at "Santa's Western Home". Ordered by Puget Sound National Bank, Bob Gordon.

Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma)--People;

On April 17, 1943, the women of the Edward B. Rhodes Post American Legion Auxiliary stepped to the plate at Fisher's Department Store to do their part to raise money for the war loan drive. The national goal was to raise $13 billion. In two days, the women sold $2,525 in bonds and $209 in stamps. Pictured left to right are Lillian (Mrs. Wilfred) Burrows, Maude (Mrs. Ben) Overdahl, Maud (Mrs. Harold) Hofford and Mrs. George Allen. Mrs. Hofford stood inside a booth advertising "Buy War Stamps Here" and a poster of a woman and child with the caption, "For Their Future, Buy War Bonds." (T.Times, 4/21/1943, p.3- picture; TNT 4/21/1943, pg. 18-picture)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Group portraits--1940-1950; Burrows, Lillian; Overdahl, Maude; Hofford, Maud;

Davis car at Fisher's, Times. Crowds formed all day to look over a stripped down model of a 3-wheeled 1949 Davis automobile outside Fisher's Department Store.The experimental automobile was for sale at $995. The sign above the vehicle announced that dealer franchises were available. This was the newest American automobile design in many decades although 3-wheeled automobiles were manufactured in England during the 1920's and 1930's. Designed by aircraft engineers and designers, it boasts new features including a removable top. Its top speed was 116 miles per hour. It had disc brakes. Gary Davis of Van Nuys, California, planned to manufacture and sell 40,000 of these automobiles in 1949. (T.Times, 1/23/1949, p.7)

Experimental automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Davis automobile; Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Publicity;

On January 22, 1949, a crowd gathered on the first floor of Fisher's Department Store to view the cigar shaped 3-wheeled Davis automobile. The aluminum bodied Davis, manufactured by the Davis Motor Co. of Van Nuys, California, reportedly went faster, stopped quicker, turned shorter and burned less gasoline than almost any other automobile made in America. It was touted as the truly unique automobile of 1949. It was claimed that 50 cars a day would be rolling off the 1949 production line. However, only 15-17 of the automobiles were ever manufactured. Gary Davis, the company's founder, was investigated by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office for fraud and the factory was shut down at the end of 1948. It was estimated that $1,200,000 was raised by Mr. Davis based on his test models. He had sold over 300 franchises that were waiting for their first shipments. Gary Davis was found guilty of fraud. He had designed an excellent vehicle but lacked the business acumen to produce it. (T.Times, 1/23/1949, p.7 and Parade magazine, Davis Automobile Registry online at www.suarezweb.com/davis)

Experimental automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Davis automobile; Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Publicity;

Stores began gearing up for the Christmas shopping season as early as November, even in the 1950's. The Bon Marche set up a Christmas display on its sixth floor where a jolly Santa extends a beribboned gift. Dolls, including a smiling clown, dump trucks, and an electric football game await holiday browsers. Wrapped gifts are positioned under gilded bells to tantalize the curious. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.

Christmas--Tacoma; Christmas presents; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bon Marche (Tacoma);

Joan Thrasher tries on a lace wedding gown at the Bon Marche, as multiple mirrors reflect back her image. This photograph was shot for the TNT 1952 bridal layout. Joan Thrasher married Allen Jerome Morgan June 14, 1952 in the Christ Episcopal church. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis club. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Thrasher of Tacoma and the groom the son of the Allen B. Morgans of Seattle. After the wedding, the couple left for Massachusetts, where the bridegroom served as coxswain for the Washington Athletic club-sponsored shell at the Olympic trials. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morgan graduated from the University of Washington, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta and the Totem Club. Before the wedding, she had taught at the University Place grade school. While at the U of W, the groom was the president of Chi Psi, and belonged to Big W and the Varsity Boat club. He was coxswain for the U of W shell in the 1948 Olympic games. (Tacoma Reporter 6/21/1952) TPL-8058

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bon Marche (Tacoma); Wedding costume--1950-1960; Thrasher, Joan; Brides--1950-1960;

• Colorized photograph aerial view of the downtown Tacoma business district. The 11th Street Bridge (now called the Murray Morgan Bridge) is in the upper right of the card, and Fisher's Department Store is in the middle, just below center. circa 1940.
• Printed on front: Tacoma, Washington