J.C. Penney's had a gas station and auto center located right next to their new store at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center in 1965. A 1960 Chevy El Camino truck and a 1965 Ford Mustang are ready to be serviced at the outdoor pumps. Customers and attendants were protected from Northwest weather by the auto center's extended roofline. The auto center and the main store opened on October 13, 1965. Lysle G. Paterson was manager of the Tacoma Mall Penney's. Photograph ordered by News Tribune. TPL-498
J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Glassware section in the new Bon Marche. A week prior to its August 3, 1964, grand opening, the Bon Marche, first store at the new Tacoma Mall Shopping Center, was primed and ready to go. A look into the glassware shop area saw widely spaced display tables filled with elegant stemware and vases located near the china, gift and silver shops. This is the view from the west entrance to the Mall level. The store's bridal registry was here as well. The Bon had relocated from its longtime downtown spot to the new Tacoma Mall; the four-story store would have over 250,000 square feet and be able to showcase merchandise more effectively. (TNT 8-2-64, B-5)
Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tableware; Glassware; Vases;
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;
Exterior of Peoples Store after painting with new window awnings. The Peoples Store was founded in 1888. Their first consignment of merchandise left from New York City for the West on December 7, 1988. Newspapers followed the progress of the 27 train cars of goods as they traveled from NYC to the new western metropolis of Tacoma. On December 2, 1892, a retail store was opened at 19th and Pacific. It was first known as Garetson, Woodruff and Pratt. In 1896, the Peoples Store moved to this location at 11th and Pacific. When the store closed in 1983, it had operated at this location for 87 years. It was remodeled and opened as the Puget Sound Plaza in 1985.
Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma);
The Peoples Store at South 11th and Pacific was in the middle of its three year program of modernization when this photograph of its exterior was taken late March, 1941. A painter on scaffolding can be seen near the top of the building as painting of the department store's exterior has just commenced. Peoples was a longtime fixture in downtown Tacoma as it began operations in 1895. The store constantly ran ads in the local newspapers with their slogan "more merchandise for less money." It would finally close in 1983.
Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Peoples (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950;
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;
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);
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);
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);
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;
Exterior view of J.C. Penney store. Built in 1916 and known as the Frye Building, the J.C. Penney department store made substantial renovations to the building with its occupancy in the 1930's, prompting a visit from company founder, J.C. Penney in 1934. Ornamental frieze and the Italianate style of architecture make an interesting contrast to the more modern display windows found on the first floor. Photograph ordered by the J.C. Penney Co.
J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Department Store in October of 1956 was not necessarily just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all-day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the pictured beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. The store at 950 Broadway was elegantly appointed and intended to provide a full shopping experience with a beauty shop, restaurant and full selection of goods and services. The store's new Beauty Salon was located on the 6th floor and offered skin care, hair styling and tinting and nail care. It was open until 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For this publicity photograph, the stylists posed beside their stations. The men wore coats and ties and the women dresses with corsages. The Rhodes store opened in 1903 and closed in 1974, a victim of the desertion of downtown for suburban shopping. The most forward stylist on the left is believed to be Paul Faust and behind him, Bernard Natucci. The front two stylists on the right are believed to be Lee Amundson and Lorraine Hudson. (TNT 11/11/1956, pg D-11- see ad for individual stylists' pictures) (Additional identification provided by a reader)
Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Department Store in October of 1956 was not necessarily just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all-day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the pictured beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. The store at 950 Broadway was elegantly appointed and intended to provide a full shopping experience with a beauty shop, restaurant and full selection of goods and services. The store's new Beauty Salon was located on the 6th floor and offered skin care, hair styling and tinting and nail care. It was open until 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For this publicity photograph, the stylists posed beside their stations. The men wore coats and ties and the women dresses with corsages. The Rhodes store opened in 1903 and closed in 1974, a victim of the desertion of downtown for suburban shopping. The most forward stylist on the left is believed to be Paul Faust and behind him, Bernard Natucci. The front two stylists on the right are believed to be Lee Amundson and Lorraine Hudson. (TNT 11/11/1956, pg D-11- see ad for individual stylists' pictures) (Additional identification provided by a reader)
Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The beauty salon at Rhodes Department Store. A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Store in the mid fifties was not just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. Women would dress up in hats, gloves and dresses to peruse the latest in fashions and home apparel and enjoy the day at the store. The salon is beautifully appointed with elegant lighting, a mirrored makeup table and a receptionist stand with styling stations behind. The standing hair dryers can just be glimpsed in the background.
Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The beauty salon at Rhodes Department Store. A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Store in the mid fifties was not just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. Women would dress up in hats, gloves and dresses to peruse the latest in fashions and home apparel and enjoy the day at the store. The salon is beautifully appointed with elegant lighting, a mirrored makeup table and a receptionist stand with styling stations behind. The standing hair dryers can just be glimpsed in the background.
Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
