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).

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Anniversaries--Tacoma; Cakes--Tacoma;

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;

Peoples Department Store, Women's wear department. Dresses hang from racks, while sweaters are folded neatly on display tables.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

Peoples Department Store, Cosmetic, Perfume and Toiletries Department.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

ca. 1905. Stacks and rows of women's clothing, including coats, dresses and perhaps lingerie, on display at Peoples department store circa 1905. The store was probably getting ready for its annual spring white sales which attracted hordes of shoppers. Peoples opened in Tacoma in 1888 and remained a vibrant presence in downtown Tacoma until 1983.

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1900-1910;

ca. 1904. In November of 1903, Henry A. Rhodes opened his grand emporium at 11th and C (now Broadway) Streets in one of Tacoma's first big building projects to be completed after the "Panic" of the 1890's. The new Rhodes Brothers department store was modeled after Philadelphia's Wanamakers and Chicago's Marshall Fields. With its three floors of new merchandise, it was a far cry from the one room tea and coffee shop opened by Mr. Rhodes in 1892. For its three day Grand Opening, an orchestra played while Tacomans visited in droves to admire the decorations and elegant window displays. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

ca. 1938. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1938; Christmas display of handbags and silk stockings. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at 950 Broadway in 1903. By the time that this photograph was taken, around 1938, the clutter of the earlier years had been replaced by spacious aisles and attractive displays. The store was well known for its festive seasonal decorations. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; window display of linens and tea service. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened their grand mercantile building at 950 Broadway in 1903. Signs posted along the major roads advised travelers that "All Roads Lead to Rhodes," and offered a measurement of the mileage to the store. As Tacoma grew, so did the Rhodes establishment, adding three more stories in 1911 and eventually two annexes. Photograph damaged upper right corner and bottom left corner. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; appears to be the Ladies' toiletries department. Henry A. Rhodes, with brothers Will and Albert, opened the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway in 1903. The store was famous for its window displays and seasonal decorations- here parasols, palms, ivy strings and streamers. This appears to be the ladies' toiletries department since pictures behind the counter show a woman applying potions to her face. The sign to the left invites shoppers to visit the Coffee Section where they can "eat, drink and be merry." The plain cable that can barely be seen center, running from behind the counter to the mezzanine, was possibly the pulley that in the early days carried merchandise and payment to a track and onward to the office and its money till. There, articles were wrapped and change made and returned to the customer by the same route. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Coffee, bottled and canned goods. In this photograph taken inside the Rhodes store, clerks prepare for the Saturday crowds. The coffee department served complimentary hot drinks for Saturday customers. Henry Rhodes started his business in 1892 with a tea and coffee store at 932 C (now Broadway) Street. He moved to progressively larger establishments, offering a wider variety of goods, until he opened this department store at 950 Broadway in 1903. Photo torn at corners and sides. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store- dry goods storeroom, circa 1904. It is unknown whether this stockroom was actually located at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store or a nearby location. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;

Fisher's Department Store, 1104 Broadway. Photograph of crowd several feet deep outside Fisher's store in June of 1931. Vaudeville act in window. Girls in costume, with trumpets, stand on store marquee. Photo for Fox Broadway Theater Bowen # 310-2406