Groff's Natural Foods. Groff's was owned by Virgil Groff and offered vitamins and all natural foods to the discerning consumer. Groff stands at the entrance of his new store at 11th & Market. The store was formerly located in the same building, but moved to the space on the corner previously occupied by Frank's Jewelers. It was rebuilt with a new brick front, new flooring and lighting, window displays and entrances. Displayed in the windows are 100% pure honey and green Papaya juice for digestion. The interior color scheme was sunshine yellow and chlorophyll green. The oldest health food store in Tacoma, it was founded in 1928 as Thomson's Natural Food Store. Groff purchased the store in 1943 and expanded and modernized three times. The new store had a 3 1/2 ton walk in refrigerator to keep fresh natural foods and whole grains, also raw carrots for the juice extractor at the Juice Bar. Virg Groff was an energetic man who played handball and performed with the Tacoma Little Theatre. He claimed his success and energy came from "shots" of wheat germ and carrot juice consumed throughout the day. (TNT 2/19/1956, pg. A-5)

Groff's Natural Foods (Tacoma); Nutrition--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of Groff's Natural Foods. Groff's, in downtown Tacoma, stressed the importance of eating right, using "natural" foods and vitamins to keep a person healthy. Whole grain flour and cereals, a selection of salt-free foods, Vitamin A-packed carrot juice, 100% pure honey, and even mineralized cookies were offered to discerning customers. Jugs of papaya juice, surely not a standard on the 1950's breakfast tables, were also available for purchase. Groff's was to celebrate its grand reopening on October 28, 1955. The store had been in the same location in the Crystal Palace Shopping Center at 11th & Market Sts. for the past fifteen years. Owner Virgil Groff claimed his store had the largest supply of vitamins in Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Groff's Natural Foods. (TNT 10-27-55, A-8)

Groff's Natural Foods (Tacoma); Nutrition--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Passageway under Court C from Crystal Palace Market to Fisher's Department Store. Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company.

Markets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma); Passageways;

ca. 1927. Stand, #364?, at the Crystal Market. In the background is the Florida Fruit Co., Stall 52. (WSHS)

Markets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma);

ca. 1927. City Meat Market, stall #123 at the Crystal Palace Market. The market was owned by C.M. Wirges and T.J. Kenney and was also located at 314 So. 11th. (WSHS)

Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma); Markets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Butcher shops--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1927. Crystal Palace Fish Market, Stalls 5 and 6, Crystal Palace Market. Two men behind counter, likely owners Harry Masouras and Aro Delimitros. Ordered by Toledo Scales. (Argentum)

Markets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma); Seafood stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1927. The Crystal Palace Market, at the corner of South 11th and Market Streets, opened to the public on Saturday, June 4, 1927. One of the largest "food emporiums" of its kind on the west coast, the Crystal Palace had 189 food stalls and 50 farmers' tables. All equipment was standardized and uniform, but each stall was under separate management. This photograph shows several of the fruit and vegetable stalls operated by Japanese-American merchants that were located on the Market Street side of the building. The Sanitary Market is visible across the street, seen through an open area behind the vendors. (For Toledo Scales.) (Argentum) (TNT 06-03-1927 p.1)

Markets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma); Japanese Americans--Tacoma; Sanitary Public Market (Tacoma);

ca. 1927. Oriental Fruit & Produce Company , Stall 115 - 124, Oriental Florists, Stall 72, Crystal Market. Both businesses owned by T. Sugimoto and T. Miyaji. For Toledo Scales. (Argentum)

Oriental Fruit & Produce Co. (Tacoma); Oriental Florists (Tacoma); Markets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma); Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

ca. 1927. The Pacific Oyster & Fish Co., stall 145-6 in the Crystal Palace Market, ca. 1927. The company was owned and operated by the Victor brothers- George, Steve and William. They were wholesale and retail dealers in fish, oysters, crabs and clams. The Crystal Palace Market opened in June of 1927. It was three stories and home to 189 stalls and 50 farmer's tables. (WSHS)

Pacific Oyster & Fish Co. (Tacoma); Markets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma); Seafood stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1926. Emil Ziegler and W.I. Nolting, Proprietors, Stall 16, Crystal Market. Meat Market. For Neils Hansen Manufacturing Company. (filed with Argentum)

Butcher shops--1920-1930; Meat; Markets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma);