Interior view of grocery store. Rows of assorted candies, chips, cold remedies and laundry products fill this portion of an unidentified grocery store in a late fall, 1951, photograph. The grocer seems to have made maximum use of a limited space in order to put as many different products out as possible for customers to purchase. A Toledo brand scale stands by to weigh any item necessary.

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scales;

In November of 1951, local coffee roaster Wood Coffee Company had an aisle-long display of their one and two pound coffee cans at the Big Bear grocery store in Tacoma's Stadium District. Big Bear was celebrating its redecoration with specials such as Wood's Coffee for 75 cents a pound or two pounds for $1.49. The Wood Coffee Co., located at 1517 Commerce St., was founded by John Wood, Sr., in 1905. Three years after John Wood, Sr. died, in 1951, the Wood Coffee Co. was sold to the Mello-Cup Coffee Co. of Seattle. (TNT 11-7-51, p. 11- ad for Big Bear)

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Wood Coffee Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Produce is displayed along the windows at the A-G Food Store at 56th and Yakima (also South 56th and Park). A-G Food Stores were celebrating the opening of two new stores, this one and another at 72nd and South Oakes. Two long shelving units run the length of the store through the middle and more shelves line the walls along the left and at the rear. Two check-out counters are seen with scales located next to the cash registers. The meat counter is seen in the foreground. (TNT, 10/12/1951, p.A-2)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; A-G Food Store (Tacoma); Cash registers; Scales;

In October of 1951, Associated Grocers was celebrating the opening of two stores in Tacoma. John Tipton's Associated Grocers Food Market (pictured), located at South 72nd and Oakes, was new to the organization. Mr. Tipton had 23 years experience in owning and operating grocery and meat markets locally. He was assisted by Roy Mercer in the meat market. His new store had plenty of parking with a large adjoining lot. The other Associated Grocers Food Market at 764 South 56th St. was re-opening after being closed for several months due to a fire. The store was completely renovated and equipped with the latest modern machinery. The structure was built in 1937 and previously operated as Frank Mosier's Meat Market and Ben's Economy Groceteria. After the 1951 renovation, it was managed by John W. Fagerholm (groceries & produce) and John Hein (meat market.) The total of AG chain stores in the area was now 13 with the addition of these two stores. (TNT ad 10-11-51, A-6; A-9-article)

Tipton's Associated Grocers Food Store (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of A-G Food Store No. 5 where Stan R. Engle was manager. A display of Nalley's potato chips is in the center of this view. A dairy case is on the left. Produce is displayed in the rear on the left and the other shelves are filled with bags and cans of other grocery items.

A-G Food Store No. 5 (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Nalley's display at the new Safeway store at 84th and Pacific included Tang salad dressing at 49 cents per quart; shoestring potatoes, 2 cans for 31 cents; Banquet Dill pickles, 43 cents for 24 ounces; Lumberjack Syrup, and spaghetti with meat, 28 cents per can.

Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery Stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nalleys, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products

Display of Crescent spices at Manleys food fair at Fircrest. Crescent Manufacturing Co.

Grocery stores--Fircrest--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Fircrest; Spices; Manley's Food Fair (Fircrest);

Display of Crescent spices and extracts at Big Bear store, for Crescent Manufacturing Co. According to their slogan, Crescent is "Always the word for flavor." The Tacoma Big Bear grocery was opened in January of 1948 in the Stadium district. Don P. Taylor was the store manager.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Spices;

On June 20, 1952, an unidentified woman, possibly owner Marjorie Beckstead, posed with a display of Nalley products at Beckstead's Grocery, 3807 Center St. She was holding a jar of Nalley's Tang salad dressing. The display included Nalley's spaghetti dinner, Lumberjack syrup, Treasure pickles, mustard, and Nalley's mayonnaise. Other groceries were stacked on shelves behind the woman. Beckstead's was owned by Clifford R. and Marjorie Beckstead.

Grocery Stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Beckstead's Grocery (Tacoma); Nalleys, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products; Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the exterior of Midland Thriftway grocery store with parking available in front of the store. Midland was once the half-way point on the Puyallup to Tacoma street car line. The community centered on 99th and Portland Avenue. Ordered by Associated Grocers.

Grocery Stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Midland Thriftway (Tacoma); Thriftway Food Stores (Tacoma);

A display of Del Monte canned fruit, green beans and tomato catsup has been created at the end of one of the aisles at the Big Bear Store in Tacoma. Large cans of Del Monte peaches were 25 cents each and pineapple was four for 98 cents. Del Monte advertised an upcoming "All-Star Revue" to be seen on NBC-TV.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This apple display in the window of the Totem Market, 933-37 Market St., in January of 1938 was part of an advertising campaign to encourage the consumption of Washington grown apples. Washington's apples were started from seeds brought to a Hudson's Bay Company settlement in the Pacific Northwest from London by a Captain Simpson. In 1938 at least one of these trees was still standing in Vancouver, WA. In 1894, the first carload of apples was shipped east of the Mississippi River with the result that by 1938 Washington was the "Apple Bowl" of the world, producing one out of every four apples grown in the United States. (Ordered by H.L. Moreman, for Washington State Apple Advertising Commission.) (TNT 1/21/1938, pg. 7)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fruit; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Apples--Tacoma; Advertising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Totem Market, 25th and Alder. Apple and flour window display for apple dumplings. Market with glass block framing plate glass windows. Ordered by H.L. Moreman, for Washington State Apple Advertising Commission. Tacoma Food Stores, in conjunction with Sperry Milling Co., were offering special prizes for the solving of "Applegrams," special anagrams. Winners would receive a book on apples and a NO. 5 bag of "Gold Medal" flour. (filed with Argentum)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fruit; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Apples--Tacoma; Advertising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Savemore Super Market was packed with customers at its grand opening in April of 1938. The new public market at Sixth & Proctor was owned and operated by local businessmen H. Howard Normo and Lee C. Clark. It was unique in that the entire front of 50 feet could be opened up which gave a clear and unobstructed view of the entire interior and store merchandise. Shoppers eager for bargains were able to purchase a dozen large eggs for 18 cents, tins of milk at a nickel, butter for 24 cents, cans of peas for 3/25 cents. Spring chickens on sale 3 for $1, bananas for 5 cents a pound, and a one-pound can of MJB coffee for 25 cents were other attractions. In addition, bouquets of narcissi for the ladies and "Crackle Jacks" for kids were given away. (TNT 4-15-38, p. 4, 5-article)

Savemore Super Market (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The new South 56th and Pacific Tradewell supermarket carried a wide variety of coffees in 1953. A coffee aficionado could either grind his own coffee beans, with a machine provided by the store, or buy a pre-packaged, already ground can. View of long row of coffees includes Folgers, Chase and Sanborn, Postum and Tradewell's own brands. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Coffee--Tacoma; Grinding machines;

Tradewell opened another new supermarket in Tacoma in 1953; the 56th and Pacific Tradewell celebrated its grand opening in early February, 1953. Ample parking was provided for customers at this busy Southend location. Van de Kamps Bakery was also a part of the supermarket. W.A. Bolduc was the store manager; the modern Roman brick structure had been designed by Skoog Architects of Seattle and built by Bona Fide Construction Co. of Tacoma. It contained 11,000 square feet of sales place. A sampling of signs indicated that 2 lbs. of coffee could be purchased for $1.49, salad dressing for 29 cents and delicious pot roast for 39 cents a pound. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle. (TNT 2-3-53, p. 4-5)

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Signs (Notices);

Interior of new Tradewell store. Self-service ice cream freezers were becoming more available to the Tacoma shopper in 1953; these three freezers are compactly located at the ends of the store's aisles. The wide shopping aisles also made it easier for shoppers to push their carts through. The shelves are full of seafood cans, jars of prepared baby food, and juices. Tradewell also had a self-service meat department where meats were already pre-packaged for the busy shopper. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Freezers; Ice cream & ices;

At 10:15 p.m. the new Tradewell supermarket at South 56th and Pacific Avenue is closed for the day. Six cigarette stands are placed before the checkout aisles; popular brands of Pall Mall , Kool, Philip Morris and Camel are readily available for the Tacoma shopper. The SpeeDee automated checkout lines resemble their 2001 counterparts, including rubber "sticks" to separate shoppers' groceries. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Cigarettes; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Both cars and bicycles are parked outside the new Tradewell supermarket on South 56th and Pacific in February, 1953. As the signs posted on the wall indicated, Tradewell offered free parking for customers. The store was open seven days a week, with shorter hours on Sunday, and stayed open until 11 p.m. on Friday night. Specials changed frequently at Tradewell; a customer could purchase fresh red snapper at 29 cents a pound or giant size detergent Duz or Cheer at 65 cents. Photograph ordered by Washington Mutual Savings Bank.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In August of 1938 after many years in the grocery business in Tacoma, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Atwood opened a new IGA store at 124 Tacoma Avenue North in the Stadium district. The previously standing brick building was completely remodeled and all new equipment of the latest design was installed. From the gigantic ice cream refrigerator to the marble-topped service counter everything possible was done to create a store that would fulfill the expectations of the discriminating shoppers in this important section of town. (T. Times 8/12/1938)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A dazzling display of canned goods greet the shopper at the new Sixth Avenue Tradewell supermarket in late April, 1953. There is not an empty space showing among the rows of Campbell and Heinz soups or Walla Walla and S&W vegetables. Checkered tile emphasizes the trend of wide shopping aisles in new supermarkets so that shopping carts could pass with ease. The Tradewell store at 3609 Sixth Avenue would be store #30 and celebrate its grand opening on May 4, 1953. General contractors were the Bona Fide Builders, Inc., who had also built the Pacific Avenue Tradewell a few months before. Like the Pacific Avenue store, the Sixth Avenue location would have special housewares and toiletries departments. Tradewell stores were noted for their large parking lots, ample display space for merchandise and many types of modern equipment, including the newest in automatic check stands. Photograph ordered by Carl Swanson, Tradewell Stores, Inc. (TNT 5-3-53, E-4,5)

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

By 1953, Tradewell Stores had three supermarkets in the Tacoma area. The above picture is that of the newest Tradewell, the Sixth Avenue location which was across the street from the Union Oil service station. It had a large, well-lit parking lot to handle a multitude of shoppers. As with other Tradewell stores, Van de Kamps Bakery was a prime addition to the supermarket. The Sixth Avenue Tradewell was preparing for its grand opening in early May, 1953. A staff of 70 would be involved in the grand opening of the 12,000 foot supermarket. New amenities such as music playing softly over a public address system would be offered. A whimsical touch would be the hand painted scenes of farm life on the east and west walls. Tradewell's traditional large sign would be clearly visible along Sixth Avenue; the sign would be 30 feet high with Tradewell letters three feet high and 22 feet in length. Photograph ordered by Carl Swanson, Tradewell Stores, Inc. (TNT 5-3-53, E-4,5)

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Cash registers and check out stands at Sib's Thriftway. The new market had eight check out stands with conveyor belts to speed checking. Little push carts were provided for children to shop with Mommy and small tables and chairs were available for children to sit and color. The interior decorating colors were yellow, green and brown and soft background music played. The window glass was frosted and the store had fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. The store had some of the first automatic opening doors in use. (TNT 9/2/1953, pg. C-1)

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cash registers;

Sib's Thriftway. The 52nd Thriftway store to open in Washington and Oregon was on No. 26th & Pearl in the Westgate addition. Sib Carstensen was the operator. The store was one of the largest supermarkets in the Northwest. The market sold food, magazines, comic books, housewares, greeting cards and some drugs. It featured a 1,000 car parking lot with 10 feet available between parked cars. The store was the crown jewel of the Westgate Suburban Shopping Center. When all of the stores in the center were complete, they would represent an investment of over one million dollars. The market opened with a three day Grand Opening, with free orchids, coffee & cookies and rides on the merry-go-round ponies for the kiddies. (TNT 9/2/1953, pg. C-1)

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The newest and largest supermarket in the Puyallup Valley celebrated its grand opening on May 19, 1954. The Piggly-Wiggly, located at 10th & East Main in Puyallup, was the first Piggly-Wiggly built in the past 22 years in the Pacific Northwest. Owned and operated by veteran groceryman, C.A. ("Chic") Hogan, the 10,600 square foot store was made of Roman brick with huge glass front windows. It was built by Strom Construction. Hundreds of gifts ranging from TV sets, bikes, corn poppers to three lively cocker spaniel puppies would be awarded. The new Piggly-Wiggly was one of 800 stores in the chain operating in 38 states, Alaska and Hawaii. It was noted that food cost savings would be achieved due to the supermarket's vast purchasing power. (TNT 5-18-54, B-1) TPL-9808

Piggy-Wiggly (Puyallup); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Puyallup--1950-1960;

Exterior Lakewood Thriftway. The sleek modern lines of the Lakewood Thriftway supermarket were photographed on October 3, 1954. The flat overhanging roof jutting out from the concrete block building would provide protection from the weather for waiting customers . The Lakewood Thriftway would celebrate its grand opening October 7-9, 1954, with an impressive array of free gifts. Orchids, coffee, cake, ice cream, merry-go-round and pony rides would be provided free of charge. 7,500 different varieties of foods would be offered for sale in the 12,000 square foot store. Stan Engle was the co-owner and general manager of the new supermarket. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., Inc., an advertising agency. (TNT 10-6-54, B-5)

Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Grocery stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Exterior shopping center. Lakewood was already a thriving community by 1954 as residents were starting to move from crowded urban areas to more open land in the suburbs. The Lakewood Thriftway supermarket was located in a small shopping center along with a Texaco gas station and Hamlin Cleaners. Built by the March Building Co., it was a concrete block contemporary styled building with a parking lot that would hold 300 cars. The supermarket would hold its grand opening October 7-9, 1954, with free entertainment and gifts for customers, including a performance by Cherokee Jack, merry-go-round and pony rides for children, free orchids, coffee, cake and ice cream plus free groceries. Lakewood Thriftway would offer soft background music played while the customers shopped and seven ultra-modern checkout stands. View of empty parking lot of shopping center with Texaco station to the left foreground and the dry cleaners and Thriftway to the rear. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., Inc., possibly for advertising purposes. (TNT 10-6-54, B-5)

Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Grocery stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Hamlin Cleaners (Lakewood); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Grand Opening at the Broadway Food Store, 8410 South Tacoma Way, on August 10, 1939. Exterior view of new Art Deco style building, built in 1939. Orman Hoyt, Manager. (filed with Argentum)

Broadway Food Store (Lakewood); Grocery stores--Lakewood--1930-1940;

Views of the Tradewell Super Market and its parking lot on 6th Ave., ordered by Carroll Mortgage Co. Leslie A. Gray was manager. The supermarket offered its customers plenty of free parking at this busy location. The stores trademark pylon with the Tradewell name can be seen at the front of the the store.

Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma);

Views of the Tradewell Super Market and its parking lot on 6th Ave., ordered by Carroll Mortgage Co. Leslie A. Gray was manager. Van De Kamps Bakery is pictured prominently on the Tradewell pylon. Signs in the windows advertise avocados, oil, MD Tissue, turkey and lowered coffee prices. The suburban grocery store offered plenty of free parking for its mobile clientele. TPL-8315

Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma);