Marjorie (Mrs. Harry) Cain, wife of the mayor of Tacoma, was photographed on September 16, 1941, holding an enlarged facsimile of the entry blank for the "Mrs. Typical Customer" contest. The contest was being held in connection with "Retailers for Defense" week, September 15-20, 1941. The local winner would get a $25 defense bond donated by area merchants and the right to compete for the national title. The winning entry would be selected from essays entered on "What the Retail Stores of Tacoma Can Do to Aid the Consumer in This Period of National Emergency." Merchants had vowed to conserve materials and labor vital to national defense. (T. Times 9/18/1941, pg. 3-alternate photograph; T.Times 9-15-41, p. 5-full page ad on Retailers for Defense demonstration)

Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Rhodes Department Store extension sale. Jerry Hurley and Everett T. Smith looking at a map of Pierce County. Smith was the store's General Manager. Hurley (circa 1908-1970) and later Sales Promotion Manager for Rhodes.

Business Enterprises - Department Stores - Tacoma - Rhodes Brothers

An unidentified fashion model from Rhodes Department Store stands by a curved glass brick wall in Rhodes Crystal Room. The photograph appeared in the News Tribune Spring Fashion edition. The outfit follows the war industry's plea to conserve and not waste. The hip length jacket is shown over a dress with a box pleated skirt. The dress can be worn alone or with the jacket for two different looks. The hat is of pettipoint straw of tobacco brown and the shoes and bag are of alligator calf. (TNT 3/4/1942, PG. 32)

Clothing and dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

The Jack Young family is being outfitted for the new school year at Rhodes Department Store on August 22, 1961. Jay is trying on a cap and jacket while Lynda and Lynette are more interested in a new warm coat. School would start in just one week so Mrs. Jack H. Young took advantage of previewing "Back to School" sales. Many downtown stores were staying open late for the school rush and were offering free two-hour parking with purchase. Photograph ordered by Rhodes. (TNT 8-29-61, B-7)

Children shopping--Tacoma--1960-1970; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Young, Jack H.--Family; Young, Jay; Young, Lynda; Young, Lynette;

In September of 1942, Dr. August C. Mirenta, a Tacoma chiropodist, demonstrated the unique features of his newly designed arch support to an unidentified young women in his office in the Rhodes Department Store, 950 Broadway. Trade-marked under the name "Arch-Releef", the adjustable foot support was manufactured and distributed by the American Foot Appliance Company of Tacoma. According to Dr. Mirenta, his new arch support was the result of many years of experimentation, and is the only support that is fully adjustable by the wearer. (T.Times 9/16/1942 p. 16)

Mirenta, August C., 1888-1954; Physicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Inventions; Feet;

Rhodes Bros., Tacoma's premiere department store, offered quality merchandise and a plethora of services. One of those services was the 6th floor podiatrist's office of Dr. August C. Mirenta where downtown shopper's aching feet received attention. In this publicity photograph, Dr. Mirenta is describing his trade-marked shoe insert to an unidentified woman patient. Dr. Mirenta was born in Italy and came to Tacoma with his family in 1896. The enterprising podiatrist manufactured foot remedies and deodorants as the A. Mirenta & Co. and the In-No-Scent Corp., served as president of several organizations, and raised peaches at Peach Acres, his property near Chambers Creek where the Charles Wright Academy is located today.

Department Stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Medical offices--Tacoma; Health care; Mirenta, August C.,1888-1951;

When a committee of interested citizens decided to play Santa to the men in the Armed Forces in 1942, they went to old St. Nick himself for a few pointers. Santa received them at the Rhodes Bro. Department store, where he was making his naughty and nice list. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive gifts to be handed out Christmas morning to soldiers in the Puget Sound area. Gift depots were set up all over town for them to leave the packages for distribution. Kneeling at Santa's feet are Mayor Harry P. Cain, left, and Col. Olivia Merrill. Standing, left to right, E.R. Fetterolf, Mrs. C. A. Davidson, Mrs. L. Chall, G.O. Rolstad, Mrs. Will J. Connor, Mrs. Anna M. Neilson, Wilma Zimmerman and Mrs. Wilfred E. Burrows. (T. Times 12/1/1952, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

A committee of interested citizens volunteered in 1942 to act as Santa's elves in bringing a little cheer to the members of the Armed Forces in Puget Sound, who were celebrating the holidays far from their homes and families. They are photographed grouped in front of the old guy himself at the Rhodes Bro. Department store. Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain is seated on the floor second from the right. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive presents to hand out on Christmas morning to soldiers. Gift depots had been set up all over town, in stores, schools and USO centers, for people to deposit these gifts. (T. Times 12/1/1942, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

Seventeen Magazine coordinated a "back-to-school" style show at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway in August, 1963. The models, all members of the Rhodes high school and college fashion board, wore dresses, coats and hats that were featured in the August issue of Seventeen Magazine. The young girl fourth from the right has been identified as Suzanne (Suzy) Christel (now Fox), who was a member of the board representing Stadium High School. (TNT Ad 8-7-63, A-20) TPL-9098

Fashion shows--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fashion models--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Christel, Suzanne;

On August 8, 1963, Seventeen Magazine, in conjunction with the Rhodes Brothers Department Store, sponsored a "back-to-school" style show at Rhodes' Broadway location, 950 Broadway. Entertainment was provided by Valerie Kiomoto, dressed in traditional kimono, accompanied by the Jerry Sun jazz band. In addition, the Rhodes high school and college fashion board modeled the clothes featured in the August issue of Seventeen Magazine. The fashion board was composed of a representative from each high school in the area who worked part-time at the store and modeled in their fashion shows. (TNT Ad 8-7-63, A-20)

Singers; Kiomoto, Valerie; Jazz musicians; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Jerry Sun Jazz Band (Tacoma);

Capturing the attention of a full house is Suzanne (Suzy) Christel (now Fox), dressed in a plaid coat with fur collar and dark hat. Seventeen Magazine in conjunction with the Rhodes Brothers Department Store sponsored a "back-to-school" style show at Rhodes' Broadway location on August 8, 1963. The fashion show gave its audience a preliminary look at the newest clothing styles and trends. The Rhodes high school and college fashion board modeled the clothes featured in the August issue of Seventeen Magazine. The fashion board was composed of a representative from each high school in the area who worked part-time at the store and modeled in their fashion shows. (TNT Ad 8-7-63, A-20) TPL-9825

Fashion models--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Christel, Suzanne;

Night exposure of window display at Rhodes Brothers Department Store. Five mannequins are dressed in the latest "country look" as Rhodes Bros. promoted the Seventeen Magazine fashion show to be held on August 8, 1963. Large handbags, distinctive hats, and casual clothing are apparently geared toward the high school and older crowd. The theme of the show was "the Look of Knowledge."

Window displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mannequins;

Rhodes Brothers Department Store's main Broadway location would be the site of the Seventeen Magazine "back-to-school" style show on August 8, 1963. The store's window displays were artfully designed to highlight new clothing fashions for the upcoming school year. The two mannequins in the above photograph are dressed in becoming Bobbie Brooks attire. The handbags, shoes, and clothing are more upscale than those shown in D139059-1's window display.

Window displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mannequins;

At the end of December of 1942, Rhodes Brothers Department store devoted its windows to the sale of war bonds and stamps. The Tacoma Parent Teacher Association staffed the Victory Window, selling stamps and bonds from 11-4 each day.

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

On December 26, 1942, young patriot John Flood perched on a table in the Rhodes Brothers Victory window and purchased enough war stamps to fill out his book and turn it in for a war bond. The department store's windows were devoted to the sale of war bonds and stamps and a huge sign called attention to the "Victory Window" as a center for sales. It was staffed by members of the Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations from 11-4 each day. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Edward T. Bowman, Mrs. Mary Gehri, Mrs. A. M. Ray, young Master Flood and Mrs. William H. Flood. (TNT 12/28/1942, pg. 8)

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Flood, John; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;