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;

Cascade Room restaurant - Bon Marche. Sliding wood-paneled doors are partially opened to reveal a small lobby leading to the Cascade Room restaurant found within the Bon Marche. An assortment of modern furniture including black leather chairs can be glimpsed inside the restaurant which contain polished walnut paneled walls and brass wall sconces. A cocktail lounge and Corner House snack shop was included. Johnny Maddox would be the first performer in the Cascade Room Lounge once the Bon Marche opened at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center in early August, 1964. Located on the lower level, direct entrance was also possible from the parking lot even when the rest of the store had closed. (TNT Ad 7-31-64, p. 21, TNT 8-2-64, B-6)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Sconces;

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;

The National Bank of Washington held the Northwest's biggest ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. on August 8, 1964 at its new Tacoma Mall Branch located at 4301 So. Steele Street. A 350-foot ribbon completely encircled the building and the public was invited to join the ceremony. A "bank-warming" with refreshments, gift corsages for the ladies, and door prizes followed. The 8,300 square foot circular, glass-enclosed building was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by Strom Construction. This building was torn down around 1995. (Photograph ordered by the News Tribune.) (TNT 8-7-64, p. 4)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970;

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);

Although the street sign states "S. 11th St." and "Commerce," the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's new building was actually on Pacific Ave. close to the Puget Sound National Bank. It would have a grand opening in September, 1964. View of busy intersection with people waiting to cross the street and also admiring the new bronze fountain, shaped like a lily, which was recently installed by artist George Tsutakawa. Ten years later, the fountain would be moved to Pacific First Federal's new Lakewood branch near the Villa Plaza and replaced by a "dandelion" fountain. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association employees were shown hard at work monitoring the Univac 490 Real Time System equipment on August 31, 1964. The Univac 490 was a 30-bit word core memory machine with 16K or 32K words and a 4.8 microsec cycle time. It was manufactured by the Remington Rand Univac Division of Sperry Rand Corporation. (http: //encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/UNIVAC%20490) Photograph ordered by the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Computers;

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;

Vault at new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building. This photograph, taken before business hours on September 10, 1964, shows the enormous vault door at the new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building. The circular door is swung wide open. Past the interior barred steel door are tall cabinets of metal safe deposit boxes.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

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;

People of all ages stream through the doors of Gov-Mart South, a discount department store, on October 14, 1964. Gov-Mart was located on a strip of land between Hwy. 99 and and I-5, opposite McChord AFB. 20,000 people flocked to the grand opening of the newly remodeled and expanded store. Previously a membership-only store, those attending on October 14th were admitted without membership requirements. Not only did Gov-Mart expand to 100,000 square feet, it also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

A smiling group of seven men pose in the Gov-Mart South department store on October 14, 1964. Each man is sporting a carnation boutonniere. Most of these men are believed to be Gov-Mart executives present for the official ribbon-snipping. From L-R are Kenneth Smith, unidentified man, District supv. Jerome Alhadeff, unidentified man, Manager Frank Walker, George Branfeld and William T. Triplett, Jr. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-15-64, A-10)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Group portraits--1960-1970;

Gov-Mart South, a discount department store located between I-5 and Hwy. 99, opened a new expanded food market within the store on October 14, 1964. Besides food bargains such as bananas at 10 cents a pound, and meats and fresh produce on sale, Gov-Mart put 4000 food items on price reductions. Thousands of shoppers took advantage of the low prices. In addition to store expansion and remodeling, Gov-Mart opened its doors to the general public instead of by-membership-only and also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. View of shoppers inspecting produce and selecting shopping carts; one man, face and figure blurred, ducks under railing instead of using turnstile. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Supermarkets--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);

Scenes from Gov-Mart. Before there was Costco and Sam's Club in this area, there was Gov-Mart South, which claimed to be the Northwest's first and finest membership department store. Throngs attended the grand opening on October 14, 1964, of a new market and other additions to the store. October 14th saw a change in name and policy, as well as showcasing expansion: store name changed to Gov-Mart/Baza'r and it was now open to the public without membership requirements. 20,000 eager shoppers took advantage of Gov-Mart's one-stop discount shopping that promised complete customer satisfaction with low prices. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

October, 1964, scenes from Gov-Mart. Everything from toys to clothing could be purchased at the Gov-Mart South department store in Lakewood. Wide aisles made for easy shopping cart passage and items were stacked and hung attractively. Gov-Mart was a discount department store located in a warehouse setting in Lakewood, between I-5 and Hwy. 99, and opposite McChord AFB. It had opened for business in 1959 with 30 employees in 30,000 square feet. After extensive remodeling and addition, it had expanded to 100,000 square feet. Employees now numbered over 100. Vowing that their customers would never have to pay retail, and would be guaranteed complete customer satisfaction, Gov-Mart changed their policies to allow shopping by the general public instead of by-membership-only and also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

Shoppers looking for bargains attend the grand opening of a new 24,000 square foot supermarket and expansion and addition of other departments at the Gov-Mart discount department store in Lakewood on October 14, 1964. The clock and watch department is crowded with customers perhaps buying early Christmas gifts. Gov-Mart abolished its membership-only requirement and opened the store to the general public. It also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

Grand opening signs are peppered through the many departments at Gov-Mart South, a discount department store located on a strip of land between Hwy 99 and I-5 in Lakewood. October 14, 1964, saw crowds of enthusiastic shoppers inspecting and purchasing everything from clothing to clocks to major appliances. View of washers/dryers, stoves, radio/phonograph consoles and televisions; gas stove on sale for $189 and a dryer on special at $109. With the grand opening of October 14th, Gov-Mart changed its policies regarding membership-only status and also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood; Washing machines; Appliances; Televisions; Signs (Notices);

Occupants of the second-floor patio deck and people in the courtyard below could all enjoy the sight and sound of George Tsutakawa's bronze water fountain located on the premises of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's downtown main office. Shaped in the form of a dark lily, the fountain would provide many years of pleasure before it was moved ten years later to the savings and loans' new Lakewood branch near the Villa Plaza. It would be replaced with a "dandelion" fountain. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Courtyards--Tacoma;

Close-up of bronze fountain designed by George Tsutakawa of Seattle for Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's new building at 1102-08 Pacific Ave. Shaped in the graceful form of a lily, the fountain was installed in time for Pacific First Federal's grand opening in late September, 1964. Careful placement of shrubs and benches made this courtyard a peaceful place in which to reflect. Japanese cherry and Japanese pine, cut maple, azales and rhododendrons were all installed by landscape architects Chaffee-Zumwalt. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Courtyards--Tacoma;

Courtyard of new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building. This late October, 1964, view of the serene courtyard attached to the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. was taken from 11th & Commerce St. Benches are placed strategically so that customers, or merely those wanting to take a quiet break, can enjoy the splashing fountain designed by famed artist George Tsutakawa, a University of Washington professor of art. A second-floor patio deck overlooks the courtyard and is decorated with small shrubs. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Courtyards--Tacoma;

Exterior of the Kokura Restaurant. Located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop Hotel, the Kokura restaurant opened in the summer of 1964. It featured the finest Japanese cuisine which was prepared and served by those of Japanese descent. The restaurant was named after Tacoma's city-sister, Kokura, Japan. The Winthrop would later be sold in 1970 and rooms converted to senior housing. TPL-5021

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

This is what the exterior of the Kokura Restaurant looked like in October of 1964. It had opened during the past summer in the Winthrop Hotel with its entrance on Broadway. The restaurant specialized in fine Japanese cuisine served in an atmosphere reflecting its origins. Kokura was named in honor of Tacoma's city-sister in Japan. It would remain open until about 1970 when the hotel was sold.

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

View of massive unidentified machinery manufactured by Globe Mfg. Co. of Tacoma at company plant on November 2, 1964. Company name is imprinted on machine. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.

Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Machinery industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Machinery;

ca. 1964. Hardy stalks of bamboo are examined by three unidentified men outside the new Kokura restaurant located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop Hotel. The Kokura, named after Tacoma's sister-city on the island Kyushu, Japan, opened in the summer of 1964. The bamboo plant was probably destined for the restaurant's interior whose furnishings were either directly from Japan or associated with that culture. TPL-5022

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bamboo--Tacoma;

ca. 1964. National Bank of Washington's Tacoma Mall branch under construction. Passersby stop to watch as the new Tacoma Mall branch of the National Bank of Washington nears completion in the summer of 1964. The circular building with its wall-to-ceiling glass windows and marble exterior would provide to be an arresting sight. Landscaping would be added later around the perimeters of the bank. The bank would take out several full page ads inviting the public to a "bankwarming" and ribbon-cutting ceremonies on August 8, 1964. 100 people would be asked to cut the 350 foot ribbon. Branch manager Howard Walters and his staff would provide tours of the new facility. Photograph ordered by the National Bank of Washington. (TNT Ad 8-7-64, p. 3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970;

In June of 1965 the employees of the Puget Sound National Bank dressed in costumes from the "Gay 90s" to celebrate the bank's 75th anniversary. A beautiful, multi-layer cake with a giant 75 on top was baked for the occasion. The bank, originally named the Puget Sound Savings Bank, opened on June 10, 1890 at 2422 Pacific Avenue. From 1890 to 1965 the bank survived the financial panic of 1893, the Great Depression and several name changes. In the 1990s they were taken over by KeyBank. (Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cakes--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The McKinley Hill Banking Center of National Bank of Washington had been open for six months in August, 1965. It was the bank's 16th office in the Tacoma area and had hosted a "bankwarming" on February 27, 1965. Located at the corner of Harrison St. and McKinley Ave., the contemporary 3700-square foot building was constructed of travertine stone and vertical resawn cedar siding. A large parking lot and drive-up window was built for the convenience of the bank's customers. Local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards designed the building which was built by Levage Construction Co. Richard Blamey, executive officer and Donald Rhodus, assistant cashier, were in charge of the banking center. A 25-foot "money ribbon" was cut at the time of the bank's opening and the money donated to the Tayet School for Handicapped Children. (TNT 2-26-65, p. 11)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);