B&I Sales store to show crowd, Mr. Bradshaw. The B&I Sales Company was owned by M.L. Bradshaw and E.L. Irwin and the store handled surplus merchandise, men's and boys' clothing, shoes, hardware, paints and electrical equipment. On January 27, 1949 a variety of shoppers examine items for sale.

B&I Sales Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

B&I Sales store to show crowd, Mr. Bradshaw. The B&I Sales Company was owned by M.L. Bradshaw and E.L. Irwin and the store handled surplus merchandise, men's and boys' clothing, shoes, hardware, paints and electrical equipment. TPL-9904

B&I Sales Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

B&I Sales store to show crowd, Mr. Bradshaw. An exterior view of the B&I Sales Company after a snow in late January of 1949. The parking lot is filled with automobiles of several years makes and a pick-up truck. The store advertises Pittsburgh Paints and hardware as well as surplus and "Everything in General."

B&I Sales Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Snow--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parking lots--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Getting ready for the April 23, 1954 Horace Mann PTA-Preschool carnival with a "Big Top" theme were: (left to right) Mrs. Albert Michel, PTA president; James Gibson, teacher and PTA school coordinator; Mrs. Charles Ayler, preschool president and seated in back, Mrs. A.C. Anderson, general carnival chairperson. The group posed with carousel horses from the B&I Sales. (TNT4-21-1954, B-7)

Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Michel, Albert--Family; Gibson, James; Ayler, Charles--Family; Anderson, A.C.--Family; Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma; B&I Circus Store ;

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;

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with a group of unidentified women during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store. The store was celebrating its $100,000 expansion on Saturday, October 24, 1953, with the exclusive public appearance of Mr. Renaldo who had flown to Washington on a West Coast Airlines DC 6-B. A full page ad in the News Tribune on October 23rd promoted Mr. Renaldo's visit heavily and also thanked the television show's sponsors, Mission Macaroni and Sunny Jim peanut butter, for relinquishing previous claims on Mr. Renaldo's time so that he could appear at the B&I. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7.

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

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with three children during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store. The actor's appearance on October 24, 1953, was in conjunction with the $100,000 expansion of the store, which included an entirely new children's department. In his exclusive public appearance, Mr. Renaldo gave free autographed pictures to all children accompanied by their parents. The pictures featured "The Cisco Kid" and his famous horse, "Diablo." Two of the children posed with Mr. Renaldo carry on his Western theme; they are dressed in (cowboy) boots, jeans, and the little girl is wearing a cowboy hat. A full page ad promoting Mr. Renaldo's visit also indicated that holster gun sets on sale at $2.98, cowboy hats at $1.17 and "Cisco" comic books at a mere dime apiece. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7.

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

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," spreads his arms out wide as he poses with one woman and seven children during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store on October 24, 1953. Since the B&I was publicizing the opening of a brand new children's department, a part of its $100,000 expansion, perhaps some of the children dressed in Western garb had purchased apparel there. Cowboy hats were on sale for $1.17, holster gun sets for $2.98, and cowboy boots for $3.97. Should the waiting for the promised autographed pictures of the television and movie star make the kids hungry, they could have purchased a yard long hotdog (said to be 36 inches long) for 97 cents. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7. TPL-9105

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

One of the B&I 's flamboyant publicity stunts brought actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," to Tacoma in October, 1953. Here he poses with B&I Circus Store owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin, his wife Constance, and children Mary Lou and Ron. Opened in 1946 by Leo Bradshaw & Earl Irwin (hence the "B&I"), the store originally offered war surplus goods and hardware. Irwin bought out Bradshaw and increased the size and offerings of the complex, publicizing it with outrageous stunts such as a circus, wild animals and a quarter of a million pounds of ice in a guessing contest. The crowds poured in. Earl Irwin died in 1973 at the age of 64 and Constance and his children continued to run the business. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Irwin, E.L.--Family; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, Constance; Irwin, Mary Lou; Irwin, Ron;

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with B&I Circus Store owner E.L. Irwin, second from left, and Mr. Irwin's wife Constance during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the store in October, 1953. Mr. Irwin has donned Mr. Renaldo's trademark sombrero for this photograph. Over 75.000 adults and kids crowded the area to see the star and receive an autographed picture. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Irwin, E.L.; Irwin, Constance; B&I Circus Store (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);

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;

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;

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

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);

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;

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.;

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);