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;
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;
ca. 1957. Interior- Thriftway supermarket. A customer would not need to linger in lines for any length of time as the new Villa Thriftway came equipped with at least eleven check-out stands. At least one stand was expressly for quick check-out with six items or less. Customers were asked to place items on the movable belt with the prices up for faster service. Scales were provided at each stand so that produce could be weighed. Boxes of cigarettes were readily available on top of each cash register. The new 22,000 square foot supermarket was located in the Villa Plaza shopping center in Lakewood at the site of the former Visitation Villa. Photograph ordered by Associated Grocers, Inc. (TNT 4-2-57, B-7)
Villa Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Supermarkets; Cash registers;
ca. 1957. Exterior- Thriftway. The Villa Thriftway supermarket would open for business in April, 1957. The store's name is in large neon letters on the building's porch roof. The overhanging porch would also protect customers from the elements as they entered or exited the store. Following an architectural trend, enormous windows are positioned at the supermarket's front. Located in Lakewood's new Villa Plaza Shopping Center, the 22,000 square foot store was built to order for a Thriftway market. It cost approximately $200,000. The shopping center boasted of plenty of parking; there was room for 4000 cars. Photograph ordered by Associated Grocers, Inc. (TNT 4-2-57, B-7)
Villa Thriftway Food Stores (Lakewood); Supermarkets; Electric signs--Lakewood;
ca. 1957. Rowland Pontiac - Cadillac dealership. New Cadillacs in showroom, used Pontiacs, Cadillacs and other automobiles in carport area and outside. Neon service sign, moved here from Commerce St. side of old downtown location, at far right in photo. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac was located on South Tacoma Way, the city's "auto row." Irwin-Jones Motor Co.'s Truck Department was the former occupant of this site.
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;
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. 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. 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. 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)
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;
Albertson's Food Centers were starting to expand in the Tacoma/Pierce County communities. There were two Albertson's outside city limits: one in the Lakewood Square shopping center and the other in University Place. View of Lakewood Square's Albertson's Food Center also shows the trend of placing supermarkets in shopping centers; customers could then combine grocery shopping with additional browsings and parking would not be a problem. A Montgomery Ward outlet and a Singers store can be spotted close by. Albertson's followed the practice of posting specials on the storefront windows with apple pies selling for 49 cents, chickens at 33 cents a pound, TV dinners for 59 cents, and pork roasts for 29 cents a pound. Sepia photograph ordered by Loveless Brothers, Inc. , investment brokers, of Olympia.
Albertsons Food Center (Lakewood); Supermarkets; Signs (Notices);
A distinctly Western motif greeted customers of the Branding Iron restaurant in January, 1958. Horseshoes, pistols, gates, and even a steer's head decorated the walls. Jukeboxes would be readily accessible for patrons to play their favorite tunes. Owned by Leo Balistreri and Ernie Zarelli, the Branding Iron was located at 8413 Pacific Avenue across the street from Puget Sound National Bank. Sepia photograph ordered by the Branding Iron.
Branding Iron (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Horseshoes; Jukeboxes;
Customers could dine from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays and weekdays and until 1 a.m. on weekends at the Branding Iron restaurant. The neon cactus and the restaurant name itself gave some indication of the type of food it served--dishes from the American West, including lots of beef. Parking facilities were available in front and on the side of the brick and wood building. A broad porch would shelter patrons from inclement weather. The Branding Iron restaurant was located at South 84th and Pacific; it was owned by Leo Balistreri and Ernie Zarelli. See A112067-4 for interior of restaurant. Photograph ordered by the Branding Iron.
Branding Iron (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;
King Fried Chicken customers had a choice of home/business delivery or stopping by the Stoneway entrance to pick up the food themselves. Chicken, prawns, and fish were available for hungry patrons. View of King employee standing next to his delivery van which is parked adjacent to King's large advertising sign. The delivery van is covered with advertising, emphasizing the company's telephone number on both sides and the back doors. James A. Campbell was listed in the 1958 Seattle City Directory as owner of the catering company. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.
This cheery interior may be one of the dining rooms of the Ole King Cole restaurant. Checkered tablecloths and floral curtains in addition to the wood paneling and casual modern chairs provide for a comfortable dining experience. Each table came with candles, either the tapered variety or glass-enclosed. Fluorescent lighting gave additional brightness to the room, even with its curtains closed. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW television.
The interior of this unidentified restaurant shows several wooden tables and chairs placed close together with kitchen facilities to the rear. The walls are covered in wallpaper of a past era, showing a couple strolling among trees and stately buildings. This pattern is repeated throughout the design. The carpeted floor and stairway have a busy flower motif. Drapes and dangling lamps add to the cozy atmosphere. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers for KTVW.
Interior- Diamond Jim's. A customer at Diamond Jim's appears to be pretty happy to greet the chef bearing a platter of freshly cooked steaks in a January 31, 1958, photograph. Diamond Jim's, or "D.J.'s", per the advertising placard, was located at 7401 Aurora in Seattle. It specialized in family styled chicken dinners and steaks. Waiting patrons could observe daily activity on busy Aurora Avenue through the many view windows. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.
A young employee of Gil's takes an fast food order from a woman customer in January, 1958. Customers were not permitted inside the restaurant; the only contact with employees was through the small openings in the plate glass windows where food could be ordered and obtained. A wide variety of burgers, shakes, soft drinks and cones could be purchased at very reasonable prices. Gil's Hamburgers had three locations in the Seattle area. This particular location was not identified. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW. TPL-6190
Drive-in restaurants--Seattle; Fast food restaurants--Seattle; Gil's Hamburgers (Seattle); Signs (Notices);
Exterior of burger restaurant. Fords, Hudsons and Chevrolets line up in front of Gil's Hamburgers, a fast food restaurant of the late 1950's. The familiar Richards Studio station wagon is parked third from the left. Gil's had a large overhanging roof to protect customers placing orders for burgers, fried fish, and shakes. Prices looked extremely reasonable with hamburgers at 19 cents, sundaes at 19 cents, milk shakes at 20 cents and fish n' fries at a whopping 39 cents. Complete service was available at all windows and there may have been a small covered patio for outdoor dining. There were three Gil's Hamburgers in the Seattle area, one on East Pine, another on Rainier Avenue and the third on Avalon Way. This particular Gil's was not identified. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW. TPL6189
Drive-in restaurants--Seattle; Fast food restaurants--Seattle; Gil's Hamburgers (Seattle); Signs (Notices); Ford automobile; Chevrolet automobile;
C & J Auto Sales had a Ford and Mercury dealership in Kent. Their main building, brick with a curved roof, housed the showcase cars and also the service department. A separate brick structure, also with distinctive curved roof, contained the parts department and used car office. The new 1958 Fords, Mercurys and Ford trucks are pictured on the lot with a used Ford truck and Dodge at far right in photo. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers for KTVW.
Automobile dealerships--Kent--1950-1960; C & J Auto Sales (Kent); Ford automobile; Ford trucks; Dodge automobile;
C & J Auto Sales were Ford and Mercury dealers in Kent. Customers were invited to visit C & J to check out the new 1958 Fords, Mercurys and Ford trucks on their lot. C & J Auto Sales also provided a service department which had a separate entry into the building. They were not only a new car dealership but also sold reputable used cars. View of C & J Auto Sales taken from across the street; this shows the curved roof of the large building and also the traffic light on Lake Meridian. Photograph ordered from a series by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW television.
Automobile dealerships--Kent--1950-1960; C & J Auto Sales (Kent); Signs (Notices); Ford automobile; Ford trucks; Signal lights--Kent;
Gifford Motor Company, Rambler and Hudson agency, general view of dealership. Used car lot in foreground, building with Puyallup Roller Rink upstairs. A salesman has the hood of an automobile open for inspection while other customers wander about the lot. Gifford Motors guaranteed all their vehicles; some of which had just been traded in on a new 1958 Rambler. Later Larson Rambler would occupy the location; the early 1900's building was destroyed by fire circa 1965. From series, customers of KTVW-TV, ch. 13. TPL-9830
Exterior - Diamond Jim's. Diamond Jim's in Seattle featured family style chicken dinners and steaks in addition to dancing and cocktails. It shared a two-storied building with Aurora Cycle Shop, a Schwinn and Raleigh dealership. Diners at the many windows could view the activity on busy Aurora Avenue. The building formerly housed Hildegard's Restaurant in the early 50's. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW. TPL-10400
An unusual two-layer artificial tree is the focus point of this January, 1958, restaurant photograph. There is special lighting concealed in the openings of the tree layers. Directly beneath the tree is an organ, probably used as entertainment for the restaurant's diners. A backdrop of painted leaves framed with a fence provides an apt setting for the tree. Small cards on nearby tables indicate that this was Garski's Grill at 6521 Roosevelt Way in Seattle. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.
Additional view of Gifford Motor Company, Rambler and Hudson dealership, with roller rink upstairs. Three vehicles protrude from the large building. Gifford Motors was heavily promoting the arrival of the new Ambassador model of Rambler; the public was invited in for a special preview. Hudson and Rambler neon signs were on separate sides of the building. The Puyallup Roller Rink was on the second floor of the car dealership. A sign on the rooftop indicates that the rink was open for skating that evening. A separate entrance to the rink, with neon sign above, is to the far right of the picture. Later becoming the home of Larson Rambler, the building was destroyed by fire circa 1965. From series, customers of KTVW-TV, Ch. 13.
Automobile dealerships--Puyallup--1950-1960; Nash automobile--Puyallup; Gifford Motor Co. (Puyallup); Skating rinks--Puyallup; Electric signs--Puyallup;
A little boy, with some coaching from a woman, perhaps mom, appears to be placing his order at Gil's Hamburgers, a fast food restaurant. They are standing outdoors and speaking to an employee through a small slot in the window. Hamburgers were selling at 19 cents each with cheeseburgers at 24 cents and french fries for only 11 cents. Shakes could be made with the Sweden Shake Maker models, or ice cream cones purchased for 5 to 10 cents. Gil's Hamburgers had three locations in the Seattle area; this particular site was not identified. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.
Drive-in restaurants--Seattle; Fast food restaurants--Seattle; Gil's Hamburgers (Seattle); Signs (Notices);
King Fried Chicken offered delivery service of their chicken, prawns, and fish with only a phone call. Customers calling EVergreen 0010 between 3:30 pm and 3:00 a.m. could enjoy King's tasty meals. View of King Fried Chicken delivery van, back doors open, with driver walking boxes of food to waiting customers. It appears that deliveries may have been made often to workers in industrial areas; van is parked in a two-hour parking zone and warehouses are visible in the background. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.
Night exposure- Busch's Drive-In. It appears that patrons preferred to dine in at Busch's Drive-In on a cold winter's night. Busch's provided both curb-side service and interior dining at their South Tacoma Way restaurant. Extensive neon lighting would make the restaurant visible for several blocks. Purchased by Bill & Thelma Busch in 1943, the restaurant was a popular spot for both young and old alike. It was later renamed Busch's Round Table Restaurant. Photograph ordered by Busch's Drive-In Restaurant.
Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);
In February of 1958, this group of young men was prepared for a long wait as they settle in before the closed doors of the Washington Hardware Co. store, 922-24 Pacific Ave. The store was having their annual Washington Birthday Sales and these teens may have camped out overnight. They are warmly dressed against the cold winter weather and have brought along the comforts of home: chairs, books, and food. Besides the lure of sporting goods and various hardware, the teenagers may have been attracted by the presence of KTAC radio which was broadcasting live from the sale. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.
Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960;
