Samuel Ewing, president of Peoples, (with broom) and merchandise manager Fred Carleton, right, donned overalls as they prepared for the shift in stations to occur on Friday, April 22, 1938, when Peoples Store women employees took over operations and administrative duties for the day. This semiannual custom was taken very seriously by the women on staff. Their slogan for the day was "Planned, Manned and Jammed by Women." This year Mr. Ewing allowed the women to elect their own bosses rather than being appointed to the positions. Mary Youmans, personnel manager, was elected president for the day. (T.Times, 4/19/1938, p.14-alt. photograph).
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ewing, Samuel; Carleton, Fred;
Interior exposure of mannequin and refrigerator for Sears and Roebuck. A mannequin in an apron and fold out penguins advertise the newest Coldspot refrigerator at Sears. The refrigerator has a serve shelf- bonus space in the door to store small foods, a chiller- extra cold storage for meats and a crisper and "vegedrator"- to keep fruits and vegetables firm and flavorful. All three innovations are still used on modern refrigerators.
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Refrigerators--1950-1960; Mannequins;
Fisher's is installing an escalator inside their department store. Plywood has been used to surface the outside of the opening where the escalator will be placed. Supporting columns and various pipes are seen outside the area enclosed by plywood. Counters are filled with children's hats and clothing. A sign points the way to infant's wear, girls wear, infants furniture and toyland. A sales area with a cash register is seen in the center by one of the columns.
Department stores--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Escalators--Tacoma;
View of alley entrance to Sears, Roebuck's multi-tiered parking lot. As the large sign above the parking lot's entrance indicted, Sears offered their customers one hour of free parking from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This was a new concept to attract more customers to Sears; even in the summer of 1951, downtown parking was at a premium and parking congestion becoming prevalent. New keys could also be made at the garage's entrance with only a minute's delay.
A Sears, Roebuck employee demonstrates a new television console to a young Tacoma family in August, 1951. A similar television with rectangular screen is on sale for $259. Sears was having a sale on household appliances and furnishings with low down payments advertised. A sign on the wall indicates that a 15% down payments would be accepted. Several refrigerators are lined up just a few short steps away. TPL-5046
A well dressed family marches into Sears in the summer of 1951. In a photograph shot for advertising purposes, a sign denoting "New lower down payments" on household appliances is prominently displayed to attract such customers to enter the building. What appears to be a mangler with lid is selling for $124.95 and other appliances can be glimpsed close to entrances and windows. TPL-2530
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The opening ceremony of Sears Roebuck and Company's new triple deck parking garage was held June 7, 1951. Several weeks of extensive construction activity by Woodworth and Company completed the project in record time. The 50' by 100' Sears Farm Store building was razed in January 1951 to make way for the garage. Central Market can be seen across the street at 1120 Market as well as Corbits Poultry at 1142 Market. Ordered by Sears Roebuck & Company, Don Anderson. (TNT, 6/6/1951, p.B-6)
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Unidentified speaker addressing large crowd at the June, 1951, opening ceremonies for three-tier parking lot at Sears, Roebuck and Co. downtown store. The new Sears building occupied nearly three acres and contained direct openings on each level to the street(s). The new concrete parking garage could hold 500 cars. Mayor John Anderson participated in the formal opening of the garage. (TNT 6-6-51, B-2, B-6 articles)
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Santa Claus has joined a group from Puget Sound National Bank at Fisher's Toy Department. The group have gathered for their portrait at "Santa's Western Home". Ordered by Puget Sound National Bank, Bob Gordon.
Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma)--People;
Employees of Sears, Roebuck & Co. attended a banquet held at the Top of the Ocean in October, 1950. The photograph commissioned by Mr. Moore of Sears Roebuck showed the head table with amusing signs and slogans.
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--People--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
The Relle Scatter-Pin Ring, a new innovation in the world of jewelry, was introduced to Tacomans at Fisher's Department Store in November 1949. It was a ring-pin combination; the wearer could choose to add a scatter pin to the ring, twisting securely to make a dinner ring. The creator, Norman Carr, designed brilliant stone-studded scatter pins which could be worn alone, or used in the creation of stuning dinner rings. (photo taken for Marian Wood, Fisher's Jewelry Dept.) (TNT, 11/27/1949, p.A-15)
Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jewelry; Rings;
Metropolitan Chain Stores were a department store located in Tacoma's downtown shopping district. Metropolitan offered their customers a wide variety of services, including key making and a luncheonette cafeteria with daily specials; Metropolitan's store manager was Walter M. Arnold. View of window display featuring "Advance" dress patterns and 15 cent underwear sale.
In 1948 the Peoples department store chain had an empire of twelve stores. For two days, starting on November 12, 1948, Mildred Davis became president of the Peoples Empire during the semi-annual Women's Day. On these two days, women took over all executive positions. Mrs. Davis, who worked as the company's switchboard operator, was elected by her co-workers to be president and general manager. William P. Fitpold, the real president and general manager, shows plans and duties to Mrs. Davis. (TNT, 11/11/1948, p.2)
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Davis, Mildred; Fitpold, William P.; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;
William P. Fitpold, president of the Peoples department store, at 1101 Pacific Ave., struggled with the store's switchboard in this photograph from November 1946. Twice a year, during their Women's Days sales, Peoples' officers and managers were demoted and the women employees took over all the management positions held by men. Because Mildred Davis, the store's regular operator, was elected president by the staff, Mr. Fitpold had to take over her regular duties while she ran the store. (T. Times 11-11-1948 p.11) Times, Frank Herbert
Peoples (Tacoma); Fitpold, William P.; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone switchboards--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone operators--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mr. Fitpold at switchboard at Peoples Store, Times, Frank Herbert. Mr. William P. Fitpold, president of the department store, has traded positions with Mildred Davis, the store's switchboard operator, during the two-day Women's days event at the store. Mrs. Davis was elected by her co-workers to serve as president during the event.
Peoples (Tacoma); Fitpold, William P.; Davis, Mildred; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sexism--Tacoma--1940-1950;
20 trucks at store, Sears Roebuck & Company, Mr. Moore. Trucks from L.M. Jezek Trucking are lined up in the parking lot at Sears, Roebuck and Company. They were used to transfer merchandise from the local Sears store to Seattle. A labor dispute had kept ten Tacoma stores closed for more than five weeks and no progress was being made as to the opening of the retail department stores. Several men are standing out of the rain under the overhang on the key maker's station.(T.Times, 9/16/1948, p.13) TPL-9609
Trikskirts window display. Rhodes Brothers Department store first opened up on "C" Street in Tacoma, then within a few years had expanded into Seattle and a few other states as well. View of Trikskirts window display, showing a variety of colors and prices.
Department stores--Tacoma; Skirts; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1943. Packed from wall to wall with customers, Sears and Roebuck Company's sale on alarm clocks was a huge success. This crowd was photographed circa 1943.
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950;
ca. 1943. Crowd lined-up on sidewalk at Sears, Roebuck and Company for sale on alarm clocks in this circa 1943 photograph. The department store advertised as "Tacoma's Modern Store" featured an updated facade of stucco with a black glass tiled corner entry. Hooded street lamp.
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Queues--Tacoma; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Exterior view of Kmart, 100th & Bridgeport Way. Kmart store #4467 opened on Thursday, July 20, 1972, at 10 a.m. The brick structure was similar in design to the Kmart stores at 72nd & Portland Ave. and on Sixth Ave. with plenty of free parking available in the well-lit lot. Robert W. Henley was the store's first manager; its 150 full-time employees would be a boon to Tacoma's economy. Photograph ordered by SS Kresge Co. (TNT 8-25-71, A-1- article; TNT 7-16-72 Ad A-4; TNT 7-19-72, A-2 -article; TNT 7-21-72, A-9-article)
Kmart (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1970-1980; Parking lots--Lakewood;
Interior view of new Kmart store. "Satisfaction Always" promised a large Kmart sign hanging from the ceiling of the new Kmart store located at 100th & Bridgeport Way in Lakewood. It opened for business on Thursday, July 20, 1972. Situated on 11 acres on 100th St., the location was the former home of prominent Tacoman Dr. Christian Quevli which was destroyed by fire in the 1930's. Both the exterior and interior of the new store were similar to other Tacoma-area Kmarts: brick exteriors with long lines and interiors that were brightly lit and divided into jewelry, clothing, sporting goods, appliances, household goods and other departments. The Lakewood Kmart had 84,000 square feet of space. Photograph ordered by SS Kresge Co. (TNT 8-25-71, A-1-article; TNT ad 7-16-72, A-4; TNT 7-19-72, A-2-article; TNT 7-21-72, A-9-article)
Kmart (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1970-1980; Signs (Notices);
Parking lot at new Kmart. Hundreds of shoppers would be gathering at the site of the new Kmart at 100th & Bridgeport Way a bit later in the morning of July 20, 1972. when store #4467 would be hosting its grand opening. This empty parking lot, capable of holding 700 cars, would not be empty for long. This would be the 11th Kmart in Washington State and third in the Tacoma-area. Photograph ordered by SS Kresge Co. (TNT 8-25-71, A-1- article; TNT Ad 7-16-72, A-4; TNT 7-19-72, A-2 -article; TNT 7-21-72, A-9-article);
Kmart (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1970-1980; Parking lots--Lakewood;
Body Shop at Peoples. August, 1971, view of colorful "Body Shop" display on the second floor of the Peoples department store. These were eye-catching long sleeved body suits in a variety of vibrant colors including a purple one-piece outfit on a green chrome stand. Color photograph ordered by Peoples.
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;
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;
Shoe department - Peoples. In 1970, ladies shoes and handbags were displayed at Peoples not in racks cluttering the floor but on shelves in recessed walls and in open cabinets. One tree rack of leather boots was located near a mirrored column. A few comfortable modern chairs were set back-to-back with foot stools. This left an impression of spaciousness and elegance. The women's shoe department was located on the first floor; this photograph was part of a full page advertisement in the November 4, 1970, News Tribune. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 11-4-70, D-12)
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Shoes;
Foundations department - Peoples. The women's foundations section at Peoples in October of 1970 displayed a wide variety of undergarments including slips, bras, panties and nightgowns. A small sign advised customers to "Stretch on - Shape up!" Peoples had recently remodeled their second floor featuring women's clothing and accessories; this photograph was part of a full page ad in the News Tribune's November 4th issue. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 11-4-70, D-12)
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Underwear; Signs (Notices);
Wig department - Peoples. In 1970 women were still sporting wigs and Peoples department store had a special wig boutique with many styles on display. A wig specialist helps a customer adjust a bouffant model while gazing in the large mirror. Shorter, curlier wigs in a variety of colors seem to be the trendy look. This photograph was part of a full page ad in the News Tribune's November 4, 1970, edition. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT ad 11-4-70, D-12)
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wigs;
Sportswear department - Peoples. A large section of fashionable sportswear awaits customers of the Peoples department store in October of 1970. Racks are packed with women's clothing, including both bold prints and plain solids. Peoples had recently completely remodeled their second floor and invited customers to come take a look at the variety of women's stylish fashions. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 11-4-70, D-12)
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Ladies wear at Peoples. This section featuring fashionable ladies wear is believed to have been taken at Peoples downtown store in October of 1970. Both pant suits and one-piece jumpers appear to be popular items. Peoples had three locations in the local area including one in Lakewood and another in Lacey. By 1970, the store advertised Sunday shopping hours, possibly to compete with the Tacoma Mall. This photograph was part of a full page ad in the News Tribune on November 4, 1970. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT ad 11-4-70, D-12
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;
View of display window at Woolworth's in downtown Tacoma, June, 1970. Woolworth's had dine-in service but also advertised their Golden Fried Chicken to-go. Chicken could be purchased by the piece, bag, or bucket at reasonable prices. A male mannequin with chef's hat and long apron appears in the window along with a sign indicating "pop" deserved a day off from cooking and hinting that the store chicken might be a good idea.
