Foreman & Clark clothing store at the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Foreman & Clark took out a full page ad in the News Tribune on June 5, 1957, proclaiming the "West's largest clothier coming to Tacoma." The chain, established in 1909 in Los Angeles by W.A. Foreman, had 90 stores from coast-to-coast. It celebrated a three-day grand opening on June 6-8, 1957, at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Foreman & Clark's manufactured its own men's and boys' clothing to keep prices low while offering the public well made articles of clothing. (TNT 6-5-57, A-7-article & ad)

Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Window displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

National clothiers Foreman & Clark opened up the latest in their 90 chain stores in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center on June 6, 1957. They were well-known for their fine quality men's, women's and children's line of clothing. Foreman & Clark's was established in Los Angeles in 1909 by W.A. Foreman. His policy of upstairs stores, low rental costs and inexpensive fixtures resulted in savings passed on to his customers in the form of quality merchandise at low prices. The Foreman & Clark chain ran from New York to California and then up to the Pacific Northwest. The Villa Plaza store had a prime location next to Rhodes Department Store. It was run by Hal Miller. This is probably the rear view of the store, taken on June 17, 1957. For another view, probably of the front, see A107266-1. Sepia photograph ordered by Walter Scott, Foreman & Clark. (TNT 6-5-57, A-6)

Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

Large selection of men's suits at the new Foreman & Clark's clothing store in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Foreman & Clark celebrated its grand opening with three days full of bargains on June 6-8, 1957. Men could purchase a 100% wool suit for only $39.90 and pick up a toggle car coat for $12.88. The firm manufactured its own men's and boys' clothing with men's sizes ranging from 34-50. Among the newest of 90 stores from coast-to-coast, the Villa Plaza location followed store policy of low rental expense and inexpensive fixtures so that quality merchandise could be manufactured while keeping costs low for shoppers. The Villa Plaza store was managed by Hal Miller who along with Byron W. Foreman, nephew of store founder W.A. Foreman and Walter Scott, regional manager, were present for the grand opening celebration. (TNT 6-5-57, A-6-article)

Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Suits (Clothing); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Just past the men's suits was the Forewyn Shop for Women located inside Foreman & Clark at the Villa Plaza. The latest fashions in suits, dresses, blouses and skirts could be found for the discerning shopper. While Foreman & Clark did not manufacture the women's clothing itself, as it did men and boys clothing, they made sure that the manufacturers chosen were worthy of the Forewyn name.

Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Exterior of the National Bank of Washington located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The bank sponsored an open house on July 13, 1957, at its new banking office located in the north wing of the Lakewood shopping center. It was one of eight Tacoma area offices. The one-story building was 50-feet wide, 104-feet deep and totaled 5,200 square feet. The exterior was constructed of mottled blue ceramic tile with large areas of plate glass. The facility was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by general contractor Merritt Construction. Six teller units, a conference room and officers quarters were located on the east side lobby. There was a modern vault in the rear. The Villa Plaza-Lakewood branch of the National Bank of Washington had as its first manager Marc H. Miller. (TNT 7-11-57, A-6-article & alt. photograph; A-7 full page ad)

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Two elevator control boxes made at American Manufacturing Company for the House of Good Shepherds in Spokane.

American Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Elevators;

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac opened a used car center near their dealership on South Tacoma Way in July, 1957. Several late model vehicles are angle parked close to the building. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac's dealership, owned and operated by Don Rowland, was formerly the location of Irwin-Jones Motor Co., dealers in Pontiacs and Dodges. View of used car lot and building; large signs inform drivers on busy South Tacoma Way of the company's phone number, address, and purpose of business. Photograph ordered by Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac.

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Used Car Center (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

W.T. Grant Co. department store at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Grant's was the 22nd business to open in the Villa Plaza when it threw open its doors at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, 1957. The store was fully air-conditioned and featured fluorescent lighting. Family fashions, dry goods, home and hardware were all under one roof in the 22,000 square foot building. This was the fifth W.T. Grant Co. store in Washington state amongst nearly 600 stores nationwide. The business had grown from a small single store in Lynn, Mass., started by William T. Grant in 1907. Mr. Grant was still alive in 1957, age 81. (TNT 7-30-57, p. 2; TNT 7-31-57, A-9; TNT 8-7-57, D-2) TPL-10526

W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interior exposures--W.T.Grant store. The well-stocked W.T. Grant Co. department store appears nearly ready to greet its first customers in a July 29, 1957, photograph. Signs proclaiming Grant's to be "America's favorite family store" and "Get more, save more" are prolific throughout the store. Individual cash registers are located in the jewelry and other designated departments; in addition, there were check-out counters at each end of the store. Air conditioning and bright fluorescent lighting would make shopping comfortable. W.T. Grant Co. was located in Lakewood's new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. It was the fifth W.T.Grant store in Washington and one of 660 stores nationwide. William T. Grant opened his first store, a small one, in Lynn, Mass., in 1907; fifty years later, 22,000 supermodern department stores are the norm for Grant's. Photograph ordered by W.T. Grant Co. (TNT 7-31-57, A-9)

W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

ca. 1957. Fashion Shoes at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. There were two locations of this family shoe store, one at Villa Plaza in Lakewood and the other in downtown Tacoma at 1128 Broadway. The Villa Plaza store, like most stores in the shopping center, had both a front and rear entrance. Fashion Shoes, part of the extensive Roe Brothers chain, opened on Thursday, May 16, 1957 with a three-day grand celebration. The chain was known for good quality shoes at very reasonable prices. Mr. M. Barnes was the Villa Plaza store's first manager. (TNT 5-15-57, A-7-article; TNT ad 7-7-57, D-8; TNT 8-7-57, B-13)

Fashion Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Brightly lit, spacious interior of the Fashion Shoes store in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Besides shoes for the family, a wide selection of purses and socks was available for purchase. The Villa Plaza location was the second store site for Fashion Shoes who also maintained a store at 11th & Broadway in downtown Tacoma. Fashion Shoes was part of the Roe Brothers chain which had served shoe needs of West Coast families for over 25 years. The Villa Plaza store's first manager was Mr. M. Barnes. (TNT 5-15-57, A-7-article)

Fashion Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

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);

Thriftway supermarket in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Several Del Monte products on sale including six bottles of ketchup for $1.00, seven cans of canned corn for $1.00 and tomato sauce at 13 cans for $1.00. Thriftway advertised "Where Every Customer Is Important!" The Villa Thriftway, managed by Kenneth Gies, was a member of Associated Grocers. It had its own bakery and seafood market in addition to regular departments. Villa Plaza officials had planned a one-stop shopping designation for their Lakewood shopping center to include grocery, pharmacy, clothing, banking and automotive needs to attract the growing number of suburbanites. 50 acres of free parking proved a powerful lure for thousands of shoppers. (TNT 8-7-57, B8,9-alt. photograph)

Villa Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Grocery stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Flags gaily flapping in the wind welcomed shoppers to the J.C. Penney store in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The large department store was the cornerstone of the block that included Weisfield's, Fashion Shoes, Woolworth's and Mode O' Day. Penney's joined the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at the Villa Plaza; both stores had their main stores in downtown Tacoma. Penney's had its grand opening on May 16, 1957, where the 33,000 square foot store became the first shopping center Penney's in the Northwest. It was also the first Penney's to have all sales departments on one floor; the upper level was for offices and staff rooms. Howard E. Haley was the Villa Plaza Penney's first manager; he had a staff of 60 local employees. Photograph ordered by Norman Iverson & Associates. (TNT 5-15-57, B-1, B-4) TPL-8317

J.C. Penney Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

F.W. Woolworth Co. joined fellow downtown stalwarts Rhodes Brothers and J.C. Penney in establishing new stores in Lakewood's newest shopping center, the Villa Plaza. It had its grand opening on May 9, 1957. The concept of several dozen stores, side by side, in one location was a growing trend. Shoppers in suburban areas could now visit many familiar stores in one central location without having to travel to downtown Tacoma and face heavier traffic and parking woes. Presumably the same merchandise was available at the shopping center's stores as was in the main locations. The new Woolworth's was a two-story structure. It had unusually wide aisles for customer comfort, fluorescent lighting, and air conditioning. Customers used a self-service basis where items were selected, put into carts and then wheeled to cash registers. Jack E. Heagle was the Villa Plaza's Woolworth's first manager. Photograph ordered by Norman Iverson & Associates. (TNT 5-8-57, A-8)

F.W. Woolworth Co. (Lakewood); Variety stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The Rhodes Brothers Department Store anchored the other end of the block from J.C. Penney in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in 1957. They, along with Weisfield's and Woolworth's, established new stores in the suburban Lakewood shopping center. Although the giant department stores maintained their main stores in downtown Tacoma, the move to shopping centers was possibly the first stop in the eventual relocation of major retail to suburban areas. Rhodes was the first store to open in the $7,000,000 Villa Plaza Shopping Center on March 15, 1957. It was also the largest store in square footage. Photograph ordered by Norman Iverson & Associates. (TNT 8-7-57, B-8)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

The W.T. Grant Co. department store opened for business in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in the summer of 1957. It joined a number of well-known stores to make shopping easier for suburbanites: J.C. Penney, Rhodes Brothers, Weisfield's Jewelry, and F.W. Woolworth. While the aforementioned stores maintained their main stores in downtown Tacoma, the trend was growing to attract new customers who lived outside Tacoma's city limits by opening suburban branches. The 22,000 square foot store was the fifth W.T. Grant store in Washington. Manager Charles W. West indicated that the Villa Plaza Shopping Center was selected because of the accessibility for families of this area. The vast parking facilities and excellent grouping of shops and supermarkets made it ideal for a family one-stop shopping destination. Photograph ordered by Norman Iverson & Associates. (TNT 7-31-57. A-9)

W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The Washington Hardware Co. "family" enjoyed their annual company picnic in late August, 1957. Over a hundred people, young and old, enjoyed good food and camaraderie. View of employees, spouses and children on bleachers; all are smiling into the sun. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Picnics; Group portraits;

ca. 1957. Employees at the new King's are possibly preparing for a noon rush in 1957 as they are applying relish and pre-wrapping burgers. The drive-in featured Medosweet dairy products including Smitty freeze cones for 5 and 10 cents and hard ice cream. Prawns could be purchased for 65 cents and hot dogs cost a quarter. Signs assured the public that only the finest of meat cuts were served from King's own Sunset Markets. King's #2 on Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way), just off Pacific Avenue, was designed by owner Werner Schmid to run efficiently and provide excellent customer service. Schmid was the owner of the Smitty Drive-In restaurants; King's #2 was the latest of five in the Tacoma area. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Drive-In. (TNT 9-11-57, D-3)

Kings (Tacoma); Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. A bright neon sign pointed the way to the new Kings drive-in restaurant at 315 Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way) in late summer, 1957. A delicious burger could be purchased there for only 19 cents. The small brick building had expansive glass windows and fluorescent lighting; the parking area was still unfinished. King's #2 celebrated its grand opening on September 12, 1957, with food specials and orchids for the ladies. Owner Werner Schmid was well-known for his clean restaurants and fine service. In addition to King's #2, Mr. Schmid owned Smitty's Drive-In on Puyallup Ave., King's #1 on Pacific Ave., Smitty's Hilltop and the Burger Bowl. Werner Schmid died in January 1984 at the age of 78. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Drive-In. (TNT 9-11-57, D-3) TPL-8326

Kings (Tacoma); Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hopper-Kelly Co. of Tacoma specialized in pianos and organs but also sold other musical instruments, televisions and appliances. By 1957, they had been in Tacoma for 40 years. View of interior of store shows a display of Westinghouse televisions in the foreground, pianos and organs to the rear, and guitars, brass instruments, cases, and accessories on nearby counters. The store was located next door to the Bank of California on Pacific Avenue.

Hopper Kelly Co. (Tacoma); Music stores--Tacoma; Televisions--1950-1960;

Rear of Bank of California building. A rear view of the Bank of California building shows Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan to the right and the Hopper-Kelly Co. to the building's left in a photograph taken on September 23, 1957. Rather than having an anonymous facade, the bank had large signage near the rooftop. Although the Hopper-Kelly Co. building may have been remodeled up front, the rear view appears untouched. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Hopper Kelly Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior of Bank of California. Impressive Ionic columns decorate the exterior of the Bank of California building in the busy business district encompassing Pacific Avenue. Built in the Italian Renaissance style by J.E. Bonnell & Son, contractors, the bank was opened for business on October 8, 1928. By 1957, the Hopper-Kelly Co., dealers in musical instruments and appliances, moved in next door. The portion of Hopper-Kelly fronting Pacific Avenue appears to have had three floors. The building on the other side of the Bank of California was the Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Hopper Kelly Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists. Located in the newly opened Villa Plaza Shopping Center, Ghilarducci's store was was designed with large glass walls including a modern glass entrance so that the various flowers and gift items could easily be seen from the exterior. It was managed by Charlotte Gronlund and was the third Ghilarducci's Florists in Pierce County. (TNT Ad 6-2-57, D-7-alt. photograph)

Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists (Lakewood); Florist shops--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Interior of Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists. Ghilarducci's maintained their longtime flagship store in downtown Tacoma but chose to expand to the suburbs as that area grew in population. They offered the latest in refrigerated storage, ready to serve floral needs. One of the early occupants of the Villa Plaza Shopping Center, Ghilarducci's enlarged their shop there by October of 1957 to add a gift shop where assorted ceramic, brass and wood items and glassware could be purchased. (TNT Ad 6-2-57, D-7-alt. photograph; TNT Ad 10-13-57, D-4-alt. photograph)

Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists (Lakewood); Florist shops--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. Exterior of Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists. Opened in 1957, Ghilarducci's newest store was located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in Lakewood. The firm had two other locations: one in downtown Tacoma and the other, Gilly's, also in Lakewood. The Villa Plaza store was managed by Charlotte Gronlund. (TNT Ad 6-2-57, D-7, alt. photographs)

Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists (Lakewood); Florist shops--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

By September, 1957, shoppers could purchase groceries, clothing, household goods, tires, and now glasses at Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Binyon Optometrists opened a second store in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center in late summer, 1957. They maintained their original Tacoma store at 9th & Broadway but chose to attract new customers in the suburban areas of Pierce County. The Villa Plaza branch was managed by Dr. Arthur L. Clark. It was close to Woolworth's and Foreman & Clark and appeared to occupy the same building as Richardson's Sportswear, Helen's, and Saunders Health Service. Binyon's believed itself to be the most modern in the Pacific Northwest and had new scientific equipment installed for eye exams. Binyon Optometrists was organized in 1913 by Dr. J.R. Binyon and had offices statewide. Photograph ordered by Binyon Optometrists. (TNT 9-22-57, A-8)

Binyon Optometrists (Lakewood); Opticians' shops--Lakewood; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

Binyon Optometrists at the Villa Plaza. Binyon Optometrists, a well-established firm in downtown Tacoma, opened a second store in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in 1957. Customers were given the same quality expertise and selection of frames with the added attraction of free parking. Dr. Arthur L. Clark, registered optometrist, managed the Villa Plaza store.

Binyon Optometrists (Lakewood); Opticians' shops--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exterior - new bank building. Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association built a new bank building in Portland, Oregon, in 1957. View of Oregon structure shows a multi-story modern corporate style of construction. It emphasized balance and regularity with particular emphasis on the vertical. The building was probably constructed of steel and concrete with many glass windows. As with the Tacoma headquarters of Pacific First Federal Savings, the Portland branch had a revolving corner clock. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Portland); Banks--Oregon--Portland;

A Globe Machine employee holds onto a large piece of machinery on October 15, 1957. It appears to be a giant roller of some type. Globe Machine was in the business of manufacturing machinery for veneer, plywood, and woodworking purposes. A number of machines had been damaged in transit; it is not clear whether this machine was one of them, or what the damage was supposed to be. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.

Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Machinery industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;