A multitude of stores opened in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center in the late spring-summer seasons in 1957. The W.T. Grant Co. store featured fall fashions for women and children in their storefront windows; signs indicate that the grand opening would be the evening of August 21, 1957. The 22,000 square foot supermodern store would be the 5th W.T. Grant store in Washington, and one of the 660 stores nationally. Charles W. West would be the first manager. Photograph ordered by the W.T. Grant Co. (TNT 7-31-57, A-9) TPL-9928
W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
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;
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;
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;
Six downtown Tacoma department stores had donated decorations on display promoting the "Hawaiian Holiday Sale" during late October, 1961. C&H Sugar, Libby's and other major Hawaiian-related companies graciously allowed their products to be advertised during this sale. View of jewelry section of unidentified department store, possibly Penney's, with palm trees and woven hats placed on countertops. More than 50 downtown businesses would participate in this special three-day sale, culminating in a drawing for the all-expense paid trip for two to Hawaii. Photograph ordered by the Retail Trade Bureau.
Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Palms--Tacoma;
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;
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.
1969 Richards stock footage. Elevated view of part of the Tacoma Mall, featuring the J.C. Penney's store. One of the Tacoma Mall's main drawing points was the abundance of free parking for thousands of cars. Customers shopping at Penney's, located at one end of the mall, could park their vehicles in well-lit spots without fear of feeding the meter. Penney's had closed their longtime downtown store and moved to the Tacoma Mall in October of 1965.
J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970;
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;
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);
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;
Celebrating J.C. Penney's 11th anniversary at its downtown Tacoma store with a huge cake are, left to right: Ella York, M. J. Keeley, Esther Sahlin, Frank Walsh, Myrtle Hodge, Louise Kretchmann, and Verona Howard. Six of the seven employees pictured above have been with the store since its opening in 1927. Mrs. York is in alterations, Mr. Keeley is the assistant manager, Miss Sahlin of the silk department, Mr. Walsh is a janitor, Mrs. Hodge of the boys department, Mrs. Kretchmann of coats, and Mrs. Howard is the personnel director. An employees party was held at The Firs to celebrate the event. (T. Times 10/20/1938, p. 9).
This photograph, taken on November 17, 1937, shows the Fisher's department store on the corner of 11th and Broadway. Designed by Frederick Heath, and built in 1905 by the Stone-Fisher Company, it was the home to Fisher's until they were taken over by the Bon Marche. The Bon Marche occupied the building from 1952 to 1964 when they moved to the Tacoma Mall. Today the main part of the building is occupied by the Columbia Bank-Broadway Plaza Branch. (T. Times)
Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);
Two buses are stopped at the corner of 11th and Pacific in front of Peoples Store to pick up passengers in early February of 1939. Modern bus transportation had replaced the old streetcar system in mid-1938. There were now 95 up-to-date buses operated by the Tacoma Rail & Power system in the city. Routes operated over 76 miles of Tacoma streets carrying 35,000 passengers daily. A group of people dressed in suits and coats prepare to cross Pacific where the old streetcar tracks and brick pavers are visible. (T. Times, 2/8/1939, p. 21-alt. photograph, p. 22-article).
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Buses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mass transit--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Peoples Department Store Building, Carl August Darmer, Architect, 1895. Photograph of front and side of Peoples Store with man on scaffolding near top corner of store, circa May of 1938. The exterior of the store was being steam cleaned by Universal Cleaning Contractors. The building was occupied by the Peoples Store from 1895-1983. For Ocky Williams, Universal Cleaning Contractors. (filed with Argentum)
Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma); Cleaning--Tacoma; Scaffolding--Tacoma;
Interior of Kokura restaurant. The next major improvement to the Winthrop Hotel would be the Kokura restaurant in the summer of 1964. Named after Tacoma's sister-city, Kokura, Japan, it would serve only authentic Japanese food prepared and served by Japanese. Located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop, there was seating for 40. Shoji screens would divide the dining areas, providing both privacy and atmosphere. As a glimpse into a dining room shows, customers would sit on thick padded cushions placed on tatami mats. Stone lanterns and simplistic naturalistic decor would add to the serene environment. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 5-10-64, B-10)
Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
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;
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);
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);
Passersby glance at the clearance merchandise in the windows of the J.C. Penney's downtown Broadway store in early September, 1965. Penney's would be relocating its main store to the city's southside, in the new Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. The downtown store would close on October 2, 1965, with the new Tacoma Mall store to open on October 13th. Penney's need for more parking and more area to expand led them to move the main store to the mall with its 7,000-car parking lot. New departments added to the store would include a 50-seat coffee shop, gun department, and a separate auto center. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 8-24-65, p. 1)
J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);
As part of the 77th Anniversary celebration of the Peoples department store chain, the Mercy Boys rock band with lead singer Jim Brady (later of the Sonics) played on October 9, 1965 in the Junior World Department of their flagship store in downtown Tacoma, 1101-07 Pacific Avenue. Also appearing at the store was Australian TV star and disc jockey Rhett Hamilton Walker 1st, or R.H.W. One as he was officially known on KOL radio. His show was broadcast daily from 3 to 6 p.m. The Peoples store closed in 1983 and was remodeled becoming the Puget Sound Plaza in 1985. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 10-5-65, D-1) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-9173
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Musicians--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mercy Boys (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;
Parking lot at new Kmart. Kmart's September 19, 1968, grand opening saw an overflowing parking lot at its E. 72nd & Portland Ave. location. Cars are pictured hunting for an empty spot while others have decided to simply park on the grassy strip outside the store lot. This area had been primarily residential and near the city limits of Tacoma; after Kmart opened its large department store, more businesses would eventually establish themselves nearby. Photograph ordered by Kmart.
Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parking lots--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobiles--Tacoma--1960-1970;
