The most famous resident of E.L. Irwin's B&I Shopping Center was not a store owner, customer or employee, he was an endangered Western Lowland gorilla named Ivan. Mr. Irwin bought Ivan and a female gorilla, Burma, as infants from an animal trader in 1964. The young gorillas were born in the wild in the Congo, present day Zaire. The female died soon after arrival, but Ivan became a family favorite, even living with the Irwins until his strength became overwhelming. In 1967, he went to live permanently at the B&I in a 14 x 14 concrete and steel cage. He remained there for 27 years, until he was donated in 1994 to the Woodland Park Zoo. He was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he was the star of their Ford African Rainforest habitat. Ivan died in Atlanta on Monday, August 20, 2012

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Ivan, the shopping mall gorilla, looked out from his cage at the B&I on September 5, 1973. He had been a resident at the B&I since 1967. He was acquired by store owner E.L. Irwin in 1964 from the Congo and lived the first few years of his life as one of the family. As his size and strength grew, he was moved permanently to the store. For 30 years, he drew the young and old to the mall. As attitudes towards animals in captivity changed and as zoos gave up their cages for spacious naturalistic "habitats," a "Free the Gorilla" campaign developed. Ivan was the source of much publicity and discord until 1994, when the endangered Western Lowland gorilla was donated to the Woodland Park Zoo. He was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

A playful Ivan the gorilla approached the camera in September of 1973. For 27 years, from 1967-1994, Ivan was the most famous resident of the B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way. Store owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin purchased Ivan and another infant gorilla from an animal trainer in the Congo in 1964. The pair were intended to publicize the B&I. The female Western Lowland gorilla died soon after arrival, but Ivan became a favorite of the Irwin family and took up residence at their house. By 1967, Ivan's strength, natural curiosity and playfulness ruled him out as a house pet and he went to live at the B&I full time. As attitudes toward captive animals changed with the time, Ivan's fans became the core of a "free the gorilla" movement. In 1994, the Irwin family donated Ivan to the Woodland Park Zoo. The Western Lowland gorilla was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012 .

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Ivan the Gorilla, pictured here on September 5, 1973, was synonymous with the B&I Circus Store. People came from far and wide to see Ivan and visit the heavily advertised "Biggest Little Store in the World." That was exactly what owner Earl Irwin hoped for when he purchased the infant gorilla from an animal trader in the Congo in 1964. At first, Ivan lived with the Irwins as a family pet. By 1967, his size and strength made him a domestic liability and he was moved permanently to the pictured home at the store. He remained there for 27 years until 1994, when he was first donated to the Woodland Park Zoo and then loaned to the Atlanta Zoo. Ivan died in Atlanta on Monday, August 20, 2012

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Ivan, the shopping mall gorilla, stared pensively into the camera from his cage at the B&I Circus Store in September of 1973. Ivan, a Western Lowland gorilla (now an endangered species), had lived in this 14 x 14 cage since 1967. B&I owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin had bought Ivan from an animal trader in the Congo in 1964. Irwin, a master showman, intended to use Ivan to draw crowds to the store. Ivan lived up to his part. From 1967-1994, people came to the B&I to visit with Ivan. As attitudes towards captive animals changed with the times, a "free Ivan" movement developed. After much contention, the Irwin family donated Ivan to the Woodland Park Zoo in 1994. They in turn loaned him permanently to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Ivan the gorilla posed in the doorway separating the two rooms of his cement and steel home at the B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, in September of 1973. This was Ivan's home for 27 years, from 1967-1994. When it was constructed in 1967, the cage was state of the art. However, as time passed and zoo animals were released from their cages and introduced to "habitats," Ivan still remained alone at the B&I. A "free Ivan" movement developed and in 1994, the Irwin family donated Ivan to the Woodland Park Zoo. The Western Lowland gorilla was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

B&I Circus Store owner Earl Irwin was a master showman and an expert at promotion. His longest running promotion for the store was Ivan, the shopping mall gorilla; pictured here in September of 1973. The gorilla, acquired by Irwin in 1964, was a permanent resident at the B&I from 1967-1994. He lived in a steel and concrete cage with no contact with others of his species. In 1994, after years of controversy over his captivity, he was donated to the Woodland Park Zoo. The Western Lowland gorilla was on permanent loan to the Atlanta Zoo, where he died on Monday, August 20, 2012

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Three men direct the hovering Seattle Airways helicopter as it carefully lowers a Carrier heat pump unit onto the rooftop of the B&I on August 28, 1969. The Jack Frost Co. would be responsible for installing the heating/cooling systems. Photograph ordered by the Jack Frost Co.

B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Helicopters--Tacoma; HVAC systems--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A string of delivery vans has just deposited Carrier heat pumps in a large parking lot in preparation for helicopter airlift to the B&I on August 28, 1969. A copter from Seattle Airways hovers as it lifts a heating/cooling unit; a sign is attached to the cargo indicating Jack Frost Co. will be performing the installation of the Carrier units. Photograph ordered by Jack Frost Co.

HVAC systems--Tacoma--1960-1970; Helicopters--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970; B&I Circus Store;

Burma and Ivan, two baby gorillas purchased by E.L. Irwin, the owner of the B&I Circus Store at 8012 South Tacoma Way, were photographed in August of 1964 shortly after they arrived in Tacoma from the Congo. Burma, the little female, died soon after she arrived. Ivan, the male of the pair, resided off and on at the Irwin's home until his natural playfulness, curiosity and strength proved destructive. In 1967 he moved into the little gorilla house at the B&I that had been built for him, located between the pet shop and the clothing department; he was a resident at the B&I for nearly 30 years. In 1994, the family of E.L. Irwin donated Ivan to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. The zoo then arranged a permanent loan to Zoo Atlanta where it was felt that Ivan could best integrate into a social group. Ivan died in Atlanta on Monday, August 20, 2012. Photograph ordered by B&I Sales. (TNT ad 8-13-64, B-12;conservationandbehavior.gatech.edu/ivan-article)

Gorillas; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

April, a chimpanzee, drapes her arm affectionately around a jean clad, tow headed youngster, 18 month old Jimmy Janne. The B&I was well known for its menagerie of animals and the store housed two other chimps, Kathy & Murphy. April was purchased by Earl L. Irwin, B&I owner, from the Charles Janne family in Seattle. They had raised the chimp from the age of 9 1/2 months as a family member. Prior to living with the Jannes, the infant April had lived in Hollywood and appeared in movies and on television. April was very childlike in her play and actions and over 10,000 people had flooded the B&I to see the 60 pound chimp that dressed in T shirts and capris. At the store, she was kept in a brightly lighted glass walled apartment where she dined (the health department had stopped her from eating at the lunch counter,) played or napped in a crib. She used the facilities in the ladies room and was free to walk down the corridors, frequently catching a ride on the merry-go-round. (TNT 10/22/1959, pg. D-1)

Chimpanzees--Lakewood; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Janne, Jimmy;

In October of 1959, April, a four year old chimpanzee, posed with laughing 18 month old toddler Jimmy Janne on the famous merry-go-round at the B&I Circus Store. Earl L. Irwin, owner of the B& I, had purchased April from Libby (Mrs. Charles) Janne of Seattle when she was forced to sell the family pet in order to settle the estate of her late mother. Mrs. Janne's mother was a former pet store owner in Burien. The only problem was that April thought she was a child, not an animal, and was devoted to her "baby brother" Jimmy. Mrs. Janne had obtained April when she was 9 1/2 months old. When Jimmy was born, April became his sister, babysitter and constant companion. She changed his diapers and taught him to dress himself and how to handle a cup, spoon and fork. Irwin eventually offered a $100 reward for the best suggestion on how to break the bond between April & Jimmy, while retaining April's sweet and friendly nature. (TNT 10/22/1959, pg. D-1 full page ad by the B&I)

Chimpanzees--Lakewood; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Janne, Jimmy; Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma;

Home portrait of an unidentified man holding the B&I's chimpanzee April and toddler Jimmy Janne; labeled "April receiving insurance policy." Photograph ordered by the B&I Sales, buyer Wally Baker. April was purchased by B&I owner Earl L. Irwin from the Charles Janne family of Seattle. She had been raised from the age of 9 1/2 months by the Janne family as a family member. (TNT 10/22/1959, pg. D-1 full page ad by the B&I)

Chimpanzees--Lakewood; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, far left, and Max Baer, third on left side, sign autographs during a May 3, 1958, special appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store. Free postcards with the athlete's photograph were made available to the large crowd attending the autograph session. Included in the crowd in the middle of the picture just to the left of the police officer in the dark colored shirt is a longtime Tacoma resident, Bennie Rasmussen. ALBUM 9.

Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, E.L.; Rasmussen, Bennie;

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, far right, and Max Baer, far left, during an appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store on May 3, 1958. Louis speaks with B&I owner E. L. Irwin. Frank Stojack, football and wrestling standout, stands next to Baer signing autographs. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; Irwin, E.L.; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Max Baer, left, clowns around with three other men during an appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store on May 3, 1958. He has a large fist against the jaw of Frank Stojack, former city councilman and current Sheriff. Stojack, a graduate of Washington State College, had played professional football and also wrestled professionally, even after his election to city office. Max Baer was the father of actor Max Baer, Jr., of television's "The Beverly Hillbillies." He joined boxer Joe Louis and other Tacoma sports figures in issuing autographs to their many fans. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, second from left, and Max Baer, far right, signed autographs during a special appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, on Saturday May 3, 1958. Joining them at the autograph tables were Frank Stojack (far left), professional wrestling standout and Pierce County Sheriff, and a fourth unidentified man. Boxers Louis and Baer had been flown by helicopter to the B&I from the Lakewood Villa Plaza where they had signed autographs earlier the same day. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Former world heavyweight boxing champions Joe Louis, left, and Max Baer, right, with store owner E. L. Irwin during a May, 1958, appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store. Cliff Olson, PLU coach and athletic director; Frank Stojack, football player and wrestling champion; and Pat McMurtry, heavyweight boxing title contender, also participated in the autograph event. (TNT, 5/1/1958, p. C9). TPL-187. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances;Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, E.L.;

Dressed in jeans and a checkered shirt, Murphy, one of the chimpanzees owned by B&I Circus Store owner Earl L. Irwin, appears to be fact checking the September 1958 ads for the B&I. He has a newspaper spread out on a school desk and grips a crayon between his fingers. In addition, he has colorful glasses perched on his little nose. A thin chain is fastened on his back for control. The B&I was well-known for their animals on display. He and fellow chimp, Kathy, were transported from Africa four years before and trained as entertainers. Sepia photograph ordered by B&I Sales. (ad in TNT 9-11-58, D-1; ad in TNT 10-15-58, p. 9) TPL-1722

Chimpanzees--Lakewood; Desks; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Leopards Bonnie and Iris, chained, are on display at the B&I Circus Store on September 6, 1958. They are resting on rocks used in the Teel Bros. exhibit within the store. The leopards' large eyes appear to be fixed on an object out of camera view. Bonnie and Iris were baby leopards bought from the Woodland Park Zoo. The B&I often had animals on display at their store; Ivan the Gorilla was a resident there for nearly thirty years. Sepia photograph ordered by B & I Sales. (TNT ad 10-15-58, p. 9)

Leopards; Rock gardens--Lakewood; B&I Circus Store;

The Teel Bros. exhibited a rockery with small waterfall at the B&I Circus Store just outside Tacoma city limits. Ferns and hardy plants peek out from the rocks. The exhibit was designed by Siegfried Semrau, landscape architect from Bremerton. Photograph ordered by B&I Sales.

Rock gardens--Lakewood; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); B&I Circus Store;

Two unidentified employees of the American Outdoor Advertising Company were photographed in November of 1956 attaching a giant plywood Santa to one of their company's billboards. The simple, eye catching sign advertised Christmas shopping at the B&I Circus Stores, located at 8012 South Tacoma Way. Owned by Earl Irwin, the B&I was known for its advertising and outrageous publicity. The American Outdoor Advertising Company, located at 3412 South Tacoma Way, was owned by Arthur J. Emery.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Outdoor Advertising Co. (Tacoma);

B and I Sales Company. Exterior of building draped with flag banners and with jet sign on roof. Ordered by Carolyn Sholder.

This photo montage was created by the Richards Studio in 1956 to document a historic event that never quite happened. When President Eisenhower visited Tacoma in October of 1956, Earl L. Irwin, the owner of the B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, wanted a picture taken of the President's motorcade driving by his business. Due to perceived threats against the President, the motorcade route to McChord AFB was altered and he did not pass the B&I store. Mr. Irwin had this photograph created to show what might have been. The crowd of Tacomans, the three elephants with circular signs behind their heads, and the car with President Eisenhower were all added to a stock photograph of the store. Even had the motorcade route not been changed this photograph could not have been taken as it appears. The car would have been going south, and therefore would be pointed in the opposite direction on the opposite side of the street. TPL-6678

Presidents--United States; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Visits of state--Tacoma--1950-1960; Motorcades--Tacoma; Presidential elections--United States of America; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Photomontages;

B&I owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin (R) and W.W. ("Blackie") Ruhl stand in front of the large B&I Circus sign in September, 1955. Called "the biggest little store in the world", it was opened in 1946 by Leo Bradshaw and Irwin. For a while, Irwin and his assistant manager Ruhl were the sole employees of the store, which originally dealt in war surplus goods. After Irwin took sole possession of the store, he advertised heavily, increasing the store's size and goods available. It was the home of Ivan the Gorilla for over twenty years from 1967 to 1994. Also in mid-September, 1955, a huge new Safeway store opened as the B&I's neighbor. They had new safety lanes installed to make turns into the shopping center easier and safer, as well as an expanded parking lot that would serve both large stores. (TNT 9-13-55, . 10) TPL-8678

Irwin, E.L.; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Ruhl, W.W.; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In December of 1954, Santa and his sleigh taking a spin on a lighted ferris wheel were the highlight of the holiday decorations at the B&I located at 8012 South Tacoma Way. The B&I was opened in 1946 by Leo Bradshaw and his partner Earl (E.L.) Irwin; the initials of their last names were the origin of the store's name. The B&I became famous for its lavish decorations and noteworthy publicity stunts. It was a small store that dealt primarily in surplus war goods. After Irwin took sole possession of the store, he advertised heavily and increased the store's size and the goods available, earning it the title "The Biggest Little Store in the World."

B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Ferris wheels--Tacoma;

A three-foot-long hot dog was served up at the B&I store at 8012 South Tacoma Way to two hungry unidentified youngsters by owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin in November of 1953. For only 97 cents, the boys could gobble down the "world's biggest" hot dog. Although the hot dog came in a yard length, the bun did not and three separate buns were necessary to hold the enormous frankfurter.

Irwin, E.L.; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Frankfurters; Boys; Eating & drinking--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);

Woman who accompanied Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store in October, 1953. Automobile appears to be a rare Nash-Healy sportscar. Over 75,000 people crowded the B&I to see Mr. Renaldo, the "Cisco Kid" of movie, radio & TV fame. While Mr. Renaldo was in Tacoma, he also visited the childrens' ward at St. Joseph Hospital, Remann Hall, the US Indian Hospital and the Rainier Buckley School for Boys by helicopter, provided by the US Air Force. This young lady also appeared the last weekend in October at the B&I as Princess "How-Ya-Stranguh" for their winter blanket sale. (TNT 10/27/1953, pg. 13 & 10/30/1953, pg. 10) ALBUM 7.

Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cowgirls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Convertible automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sports cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with a group of unidentified people during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store in October, 1953. The store had just completed a $100,000 expansion project which included a new children's department. Mr. Renaldo was asked to attend the grand opening of the newly refurbished B&I; his appearance drew 75,000 shoppers in one day. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Television star Duncan Renaldo seems to give a warm greeting to one of his many fans during his appearance at the B&I Circus store on October 24, 1953. Best known for his work as the "Cisco Kid" in both movies and television, Mr. Renaldo was stranded in the United States when the Brazilian ship on which he was employed burned in the early 1920's. He moved into the field of film production and then into acting, with some of his early roles in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" (1929) and "Trader Horn" (1931). Because there was some confusion as to the legality of his entry into the United States, he was imprisoned at McNeil Island for about a year in the early 1930's. He was eventually pardoned by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-1980--Public appearances; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store;