Color photograph of the Bon Marche department store, parking lot, and Tire Center in the fall of 1970. At this time of day, the large Tacoma Mall parking lot is fairly empty of cars. There are several automobiles parked, however, close to the Bon Marche Tire Center which was directly across the small shopping center roadway from the main Bon store. The Tire Center offered batteries, shock absorbers, mufflers, brakes, and wheel alinements. There is still an automotive shop offering the same services 36 years later, however, it is now a Courtesy Tire Service Center featuring Goodyear.

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bon Marche Tire Center (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma;

Tacoma Mall on a misty December, 1967 day. One of the features of the shopping center that drew many to sample its wares was the abundance of free parking. No longer did the shopper have to pay to park outside of stores or to hunt for available parking. Hundreds of cars are parked steps away from the enclosed, climate-controlled, Tacoma Mall. The Bon Marche, pictured above, was the first occupant of the Tacoma Mall and opened in August, 1964, well before the rest of the mall was completed. An estimated 150,000 visited the store on the first day of business, causing massive traffic jams. Color photograph ordered by Bell & Stanton, New York City.

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shopping centers--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobiles--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Bon Marche in 1970. This is believed to be the first floor (mall level) of the Bon Marche, located in the Tacoma Mall. Sturdy columns are interspersed on the floor, separating various departmental merchandise. The showcases in the foreground tastefully display well-known cosmetic manufacturers' products. Women's shoes and stockings are on separate tables. Aisles were constructed wide so that people could walk through easily without bumping into cases/tables or one another. The Bon Marche was the first occupant of the Tacoma Mall, opening for business in 1964 months before other stores. Althought the Bon started as a local business, it became part of a national concern, and in 2003 became known locally as Bon Macy's. By 2005 all stores were just called Macy's. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Bon Marche. By March of 1970, the Bon Marche located in the Tacoma Mall was nearly six years old. It was the first store opened in the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and at 256,000 square feet, the largest department store in Pierce County. It attracted crowds of 150,000 on its first day of business causing massive traffic woes. Even though the Bon Marche would be the only occupant in the mall for nearly a year, business continued to thrive. The lure of plenty of free parking, quality of products and services offered, and easy freeway access drew thousands to shop at the Bon. View of the Bon Marche and attached Cascade Room restaurant; the restaurant was accessible both from inside the mall and outside the building. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Mrs. W.N. Spahn happily accepted the keys to a new Ford Mustang on September 1, 1964, from the Bon Marche managing director Darrel Vannice. She won the car during the Bon's grand opening festivities at the Tacoma Mall. To promote the Bon's new location, all who applied for a Bon credit card were entered into an August 31, 1964, drawing for fabulous prizes; besides the new Mustang, other prizes awarded were a Shetland pony, $100-1000 fully paid charge accounts, and free dinners in the new Cascade Room. Mrs. Spahn, the winner of the Mustang, took delivery of the new car outside the lower entrance to the Bon. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche. (TNT full page ad- 7-20-64, p. 17, TNT 9-2-64, A-2-article)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Awards; Ford automobile; Vannice, Darrel E.; Spahn, W.N.--Family;

This vast parking lot will not be empty for long as the relocated Bon Marche prepares for its grand opening at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center in the summer of 1964. The Bon would be the first store in the new shopping center located on 83 acres west of the freeway between So. 43rd and So. 48th Sts. View of imposing four-story Bon Marche with Cascade Room restaurant attached taken on July 27, 1964. The three million dollar structure was built by Nelson Construction of reinforced concrete with distinctive red-brick facing. It was the largest department store in Southwest Washington. (TNT 8-2-64, A-1)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shopping centers--Tacoma;

Fine linens at the Bon Marche. Although paper napkins were becoming more popular as people discovered their convenience, table linens were still promoted and sold in fine department stores in the 1960's. Lace doilies, cloth napkins and linen tablecloths are exhibited in elegant open display cases at the new Bon Marche, Tacoma Mall. Located on the third (or top) floor, the fine linens section would be decorated with gold lamps, imported gold wallpaper and walnut paneling. The Bon would celebrate its grand opening on August 3, 1964. (TNT 8-2-64, B-9)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tablecloths; Textiles;

An attentive crowd, including Governor Albert Rosellini and Miss Tacoma Angela Nicholson (seated on stage, front row), observed the flag ceremonies at the official August 3, 1964 opening of the $3 million dollar Bon Marche department store at the new Tacoma Mall. Other dignitaries visible on stage included City councilman Maurice Finnigan, County commissioners Fritz Geiger and Pat Gallagher, and Bon managing director Darrel Vannice. The speaker at the podium has been tentatively identified as Tacoma Deputy Mayor Arnold Herrmann. The grand opening attracted 150,000 visitors causing massive traffic jams. The Bon offered free bus service from downtown Tacoma several times daily to their new location and also advertised the acres of free parking available for shoppers. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shopping centers--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Governors; Rosellini, Albert D.; Nicholson, Angela; Flags--United States; State flags;

Grand opening of Bon Marche at the Tacoma Mall. 150,000 people attended the official opening on August 3, 1964, of the first occupant of the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. The parking lot is crammed full of cars, including a charter bus. Although the News Tribune had run several articles on driving directions, including alternative ways to get to the Mall, massive traffic jams would occur anyway. Even when visitors managed to get to the Mall, paved parking was quickly snapped up and many were forced to park in unpaved areas. Once completed, paved parking lots would hold up to 6000 cars. Hordes of shoppers would await opening day speeches from various dignitaries including Governor Albert D. Rosellini before the doors finally opened. A few intrepid souls are perched on the roofs of the massive four-story department store, giving them a good bird's eye view of the swirling activity. (TNT 8-4-64, p. 18) TPL-9645

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shopping centers--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobiles--Tacoma--1960-1970; Crowds--Tacoma;

Washington governor Albert Rosellini, flanked by two flag bearers, addressed the massive crowd gathered for the opening of the new Bon Marche building at the Tacoma Mall on August 3, 1964. Both the American flag and the state flag were on display. Gov. Rosellini had flown in by helicopter to attend the ribbon-cutting of the largest department store in Southwest Washington. Also on the temporarily erected stage were various city and county officials plus Darrel Vannice, the Bon's managing director. The Bon Marche was the first occupant of the Tacoma Mall as the rest of the shopping center would not be officially opened until October the following year. TPL-6175

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shopping centers--Tacoma; Governors; Rosellini, Albert D.; Public speaking--Tacoma; Flags--United States; State flags;

Candy department at the Bon Marche. Mouth watering displays of wrapped candy are ready for customers to purchase at the soon-to-be opened Bon Marche located in the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Russell Stover assorted chocolates and Blum Almondettes were just two of the many brands of candy on sale in the Bon's lower level near the Cascade Room. A bakery with fresh-daily goods was located next to the candy shop and apparently specialized in fancy cakes. (TNT 8-2-64, B-7)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Candy--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Portrait studio, Bon Marche. Framed portraits, particularly of young children, line the walls of the portrait studio located on the third (or top) floor in the new Bon Marche at the Tacoma Mall. A variety of frames, both ornate and modern, could be purchased along with the pictures. As one photograph on display on the counter testifies, the Bon would be able to make reproductions of old prints. The portrait studio was a new endeavor for the Bon. (TNT 8-2-64, B-5)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Photographic studios--Tacoma--1960-1970; Portraits; Picture frames;

Beauty salon, Bon Marche. A large sign directs patrons to the beauty salon of the Bon Marche, now located on the second floor at the new Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. A long reception desk is clearly visible through the open doorway. The Bon' s beauty shop was equipped with modern hairdressing equipment and an experienced staff of fourteen operators. Crystal light fixtures and gold brocade wallpaper enhanced the atmosphere of the walnut and white room. (TNT 8-2-64, B-8)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beauty shops--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

On July 27, 1964, mannequins wearing the latest evening styles in taffeta and silk stood guard over the fabric department of the soon to open Bon Marche at the Tacoma Mall. The fabric department was located near the elevator on the Mall level of the 250,000 square foot, four story department store. Nearly 150,000 shoppers were on hand on August 3, 1964 for the grand opening ceremony. The Bon Marche was the first occupant of the Tacoma Mall; the rest of the shopping center did not officially open until October of 1965. (TNT 8-2-64, B-5)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Textiles; Mannequins;

Olympia Day at the Bon Marche. A convoy of chartered buses transported Olympians to the newly opened Bon Marche at the Tacoma Mall on October 1, 1964. Although the Bon had a 6000-car parking lot, traveling by bus was just as convenient for out-of-towners. View of Harbor Lines buses parked outside of the Bon; one driver standing by open door. Apartments on the hillside next to the Bon are believed to be the 48-unit Alpine Village apartments, built on the northern boundary of the Tacoma Mall. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shopping centers--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Glassware section in the new Bon Marche. A week prior to its August 3, 1964, grand opening, the Bon Marche, first store at the new Tacoma Mall Shopping Center, was primed and ready to go. A look into the glassware shop area saw widely spaced display tables filled with elegant stemware and vases located near the china, gift and silver shops. This is the view from the west entrance to the Mall level. The store's bridal registry was here as well. The Bon had relocated from its longtime downtown spot to the new Tacoma Mall; the four-story store would have over 250,000 square feet and be able to showcase merchandise more effectively. (TNT 8-2-64, B-5)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tableware; Glassware; Vases;

Silver and silverplate display at the Bon Marche. The August 3, 1964, opening of the Bon Marche, first store at the Tacoma Mall, would truly be a gala event. Prior to the grand opening, photographs of the interior and exterior were taken by the Richards Studio on July 27, 1964. A dazzling display of tableware, including trays, candlesticks, serving pieces and coffee/tea dispensers would certainly catch the eye of the thousands expected to view the new building's merchandise. The silverware shop was located adjacent to the china and glassware sections near the west end of the Mall level. (TNT 8-2-64, B-8)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tableware;