Interior of the warehouse at Western Drug Supply at 3908 6th Ave. A roller conveyor belt circles around a Series 50 IBM model that appears to be printing orders. The orders go into the cardboard boxes and on down the belt to be filled. Many potted plants and flowers with cards attached have been sent to celebrate the warehouse's grand opening. This warehouse is the fifth in the firm's chain. Other distribution centers are located in Seattle, Spokane, Eugene and Sacramento. The warehouse supplies drugs to pharmacies. This location will serve Tacoma, Bremerton and all of southwest Washington. (TNT 8/5/1959, pg C-16, 9/27/1959, pg. B-5)

Western Drug Supply (Tacoma); Pharmaceutical industry--Tacoma; Medicines; Drugstores--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma;

Six "metro mite" walk in delivery unit trucks, ordered by International Harvester. The photograph is labelled "Supreme Cleaners." Supreme Cleaners was located at 1012 Center St. and was owned by Jack G. Hersey. The first truck is imprinted with "Tacoma's Linen Supply," commercial division. Their slogan is "the cleanest linen on the face of the Earth." Originally called Supreme Cleaners & Dyers, the company was now known as Supreme Cleaners & Launderers. The building at 1012 Center St. was first occupied by Regal Cleaners in 1917; Supreme occupied this location in 1934.

Cleaning establishments--Tacoma; Supreme Cleaners & Dyers (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of the warehouse at Western Drug Supply at 3908 6th Ave. Packaged pharmaceuticals line the shelves. Orders are filled by placing the drugs in a carton and putting them on the small conveyor belt. The Supply Co. specialized in service to drug stores or pharmacies. This new warehouse was the fifth in the firm's chain and it would serve Tacoma, Bremerton and all of southwest Washington as far south as Longview. The warehouse was 6,000 square feet and employed 12. (TNT 8/5/1959, pg. C-16)

Western Drug Supply (Tacoma); Pharmaceutical industry--Tacoma; Medicines; Drugstores--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma;

Individual clothes pressing machines are in use at a local laundry in April, 1958. Each machine has an operator on hand to place the piece of clothing into the press, over an ironing board apparatus. A battery of twenty press line units insured that gentle hand care was combined with automation for perfect garment finishing. After pressing, the clothes are removed and slung on a rack. This laundry and dry cleaning facility was probably the Tacoma-Olympic Laundry and Pantorium Cleaners. They were still settling claims from a recent fire for damaged and missing clothing. Photograph ordered by Howard R. Smith Advertising Co., for Home Service Co., Inc. (TNT ad, 4-14-58, p. 12)

Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Eighteen years after the first Selden's store opened on 13th & Broadway, the original five employees who made up the entire staff were still employed by Selden's. The News Tribune ran a multi-page feature on Selden's in the April 6, 1958, issue, to celebrate the grand opening of Selden's new and larger location at 11th & A Sts. They found a picture of the staff in 1940 and had them pose identically in 1958. Seated from L-R are Ozzie Ellingson, manager-floor covering sales, Mrs. Angeline (Grubisa) Graham, office manager, Sydney C. Selden, president of the firm. Standing are Wally Squires, head of the contracting division and Ed Selden, brother of Sydney and manager of the Lakewood branch of Selden's. To view the 1940 photograph, see C113556-2. Selden's had grown immensely from a rug and floor coverings store stuffed in a tiny 30 x 70 space to a 65,000 square foot multi-floor complete home center, featuring furniture, appliances and floor coverings. Sepia photograph ordered by Selden's, Inc. (TNT 4-6-58, B-2)

Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Ellingson, Ozzie; Graham, Angeline; Squires, Wally; Selden, Ed; Selden, Sydney C.;

Women employed by a local laundry appear to be in the process of operating a giant sheet iron and folder in an April 9, 1958, photograph. The new machinery, by American Trumatic and American Sylon, ironed and folded fourteen sheets per minute. The Tacoma-Olympic Laundry and Pantorium Cleaners were part of the Home Service Co., Inc., operated by Jack G. Hersey, president. The Home Service Co. advertised their services as dependable and "lusterized" their dry cleaning. Customers could be assured that the most up-to-date equipment would be used to clean their linens, pillows, laundry, blankets, rugs and furs. Photograph ordered by Howard R. Smith Advertising Co., for Home Service Co. (TNT Ad 4-14-58, p. 12)

Cleaning establishments--Tacoma; Machinery;

Sears opened a new farm and garden store in the spring of 1958, just beyond Tacoma city limits at 8720 South Tacoma Way, where Hwy. 99 intersects with Steilacoom Blvd. Besides the usual appliances and televisions, customers could peruse garden items, farm equipment, pet supplies, and place catalog orders. View of Sears' exterior with customers examining garden shop outdoor exhibits, including a "Shrub-O-Rama" of evergreens at $2.77 each. Signs indicate that the store was open on Sundays. Photograph ordered by Sears. TPL-9910

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Lakewood); Signs (Notices);

On March 30, 1958, customers flocked to the new Sears farm and garden store at 8720 South Tacoma Way, near the outskirts of Tacoma, to examine the products on sale. Besides the usual appliances and televisions, customers could peruse garden items, farm equipment, pet supplies, and place catalog orders. Kenmore floor sample washers and dryers could be purchased at a reduced price with no payments due until June 1st. Several browsers checked out the merits of the appliances while others were more interested in buying a 16 inch chain saw for $149.88. The pet shop portion of Sears was located to the rear of this photograph with tropical fish apparently on display.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Lakewood); Signs (Notices); Appliances; Washing machines;

Selden's had been located on Broadway since 1942. They advertised themselves as being "first in floor coverings and furniture" and did not charge for their professional decorating service. They were a complete home center, offering the finest in carpets, draperies, furniture, tile & linoleum and shades. A full line of Parker Paints, Frigidaire Home Appliances and Hoover vacuum cleaners were carried by the store. Selden's had two locations in the Tacoma area, one in the Lakewood Center and the main store now located at 11th & A St. View of 65,000 square foot main store was taken on March 30, 1958; rows of Selden's fleet of 26 delivery trucks and vans are lined up on two sides of the two-story building. A large sign with the company's name is prominently on display. Selden's held their grand opening on April 6, 1958. This downtown location was formerly the site of the O.F.Kegel store, opposite the post office. Photograph ordered by Selden's. (TNT 4-6-58, B-2)

Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

IBM had been located at its 12 Tacoma Ave. No. address for about seven years. It appears that some remodeling had been done since its initial move in 1951; double glass doors are now in place at the entrance. Large picture windows facing the sidewalk show most of the interior while the exposed side of the building has limited windows and plenty of brickwork. The Connoisseur Shop is located next door. The Tacoma branch of IBM was managed by William C. Bethke.

International Business Machines (Tacoma);

Exterior- Selden's. Selden's, a home furnishings store featuring floor coverings and appliances, moved their main downtown store from Broadway, where they had been located since 1942, to 11th & A St in the spring of 1958. View of store with row of delivery trucks and large Selden's signage. Selden's had been in business in various Tacoma locations since 1940. The downtown store would remain the main store; five branches would be scattered throughout the state from Olympia to Moses Lake. The store would undergo extensive remodeling by G. Kirkebo & Son, contractors, using the design of Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects, in 1964. Eleven years later, in late 1975, the building would be demolished. Photograph ordered by Selden's. (TNT 4-6-58, B-2)

Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Steel Container Corporation of Tacoma was situated in the Tideflats at 1424 Thorne Rd. near Allied Chemicals and Dye Corporation and Woodlam, Inc. Headed by Arne K. Strom, the company were barrel manufacturers. Steel Container's drums were shipped to major oil, chemical, food and paint industries in the Pacific Northwest. The company managed to keep their prices unchanged despite several steel price increases. They shipped orders the same day they were received. Thomas Tinsley, Jr., was the plant manager. View of Steel Container's exteriors taken from the northeast side shows a rectangular concrete building with overhanging roof and barrels lined up on display. Richard Studio's photographs were to be used on a television program called "Success Story" to be broadcast on July 1, 1958. Sepia photograph ordered by Steel Container Corporation of Tacoma. (TNT 9-1-58, C-11)

Steel Container Corporation of Tacoma (Tacoma); Barrels--Tacoma;

Drying cleaning equipment at Woolen Cleaners. View of clothes pressers, possible hot water boilers and large dryer located at the new Woolen Cleaners at 5411 Lake Steilacoom Ave SW. Shirts and shag rugs could be cleaned professionally at Woolen Cleaners; shag rugs up to 50 pounds could be washed and dried. The customer could also decide to use the self-service laundromat facilities at reasonable cost, or utilize the fluff dry laundry service where clothes were washed, dried, folded and wrapped. Photograph ordered by Woolen Cleaners. (TNT 9-25-58, A-6)

Cleaning establishments--Lakewood; Woolen Cleaners (Lakewood);

Laundry facilities at Woolen Cleaners. Besides professional dry cleaning, Woolen Cleaners at 5411 Lake Steilacoom Ave SW offered a self-service laundromat. Customers could use the coin-operated washers and dryers at very reasonable prices: 20 cents per wash and 10 cents for drying. View of long row of Westinghouse washers and Cossell dryers. The facility was open 24 hours a day. It was the second Woolen Cleaners in the area; the main store and plant was in Tacoma on South "K" Street. Both were owned by John Schiller; the Lakewood plant was managed by Cliff Antonson. Photograph ordered by Woolen Cleaners. (TNT 9-25-58, A-6)

Cleaning establishments--Lakewood; Woolen Cleaners (Lakewood); Washing machines;

Exterior of Woolen Cleaners & Laundromat. Woolen Cleaners opened a new location at 5411 Lake Steilacoom Ave SW in 1958. It provided one-day dry cleaning service but the customer could also choose to wash and dry their own laundry. The large sign above the building indicated that it would cost 20 cents to wash a load and 10 cents to dry. Shirts and shag rugs could be cleaned with ease. The modern glass and brick building was separated in two parts with two doors; the dry cleaning portion and the self-service laundromat. Woolen Cleaners was open 24 hours a day and located near the Lakeview Village in the Lakes District. Cliff Antonson, with 27 years experience in the laundry and tailoring industry, was the manager. Woolen Cleaners was owned by John Schiller. Photograph ordered by Woolen Cleaners. (TNT 9-25-58, A-6)

Cleaning establishments--Lakewood; Woolen Cleaners (Lakewood); Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Interior of Woolen Cleaners. Dry cleaning hang neatly on metal racks ready for customer pickup at the new Woolen Cleaners at 5411 Lake Steilacoom Ave SW. Some of the pants and coats are covered with plastic bags. Toward the rear of the facility a man stands in front of a pressing machine. He has bundles of clothing that need to be pressed. One finished man's suit is on a stand behind him. Woolen Cleaners also employed a competent seamstress. Its main plant was on "K" Street in Tacoma; it had been in business for 49 years. John Schiller was the owner of both Woolen Cleaners. Photograph ordered by Woolen Cleaners. (TNT 9-25-58, A-6)

Cleaning establishments--Lakewood; Woolen Cleaners (Lakewood);

The S.H. Kress store had been located on Broadway since October, 1925. Extensive remodeling was done by Tacoma craftsmen in 1957 and the store celebrated its grand reopening on August 14, 1958. The new Kress was completely air conditioned and had expanded to 20,000 square feet on two floors. Total cost was approximately $700,000. View of alley entrance to Kress shows a new-looking sign with the store name; the shipping department with hours of 8-12 also had its entrance in the rear. Bars are on the lower windows for security measures. Photograph ordered by S.H. Kress store. (TNT 8-13-58, A-8-11) TPL-9208

S.H. Kress & Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

The National Factory Distributors building at 323 Puyallup Avenue was for sale in late 1958. It was located next door to the Paramount Electric Co. and a short distance from the Salvation Army. View of National Factory shows arched doorways, dormers, and large picture windows. A man is shown leaning against the street light close to the mail box in front of the store. The building was still vacant according to the 1959 City Directory; however, it did list an occupant in the 1960 directory, the Durobilt Furniture & Upholstery Co. Photograph ordered by Salvation Army.

National Factory Distributors (Tacoma);

The S.H. Kress & Co. store celebrated its grand opening and invited everyone to visit their newly remodeled store on August 14, 1958. Kress had been a downtown fixture since 1925. George Kirkebo & Son began remodeling the store in 1957 using the designs of architect Karl Swedberg. View of store's interior featuring wide aisles of costume jewelry, hosiery and makeup. Balloons provided a cheerful atmosphere while signs advising the availability of layaway plans and quick self-service were posted throughout the store. The store was completely air conditioned and its two floors expanded to 20,000 square feet. Fluorescent lighting illuminated the soft white upper walls and ceilings while the dark mahogany panelings on the lower walls provided a rich contrast. Kress offered specials during their grand opening: brass hostess carts for $9.99, Ronson electric shavers for $8.88, and provided free delivery within the city for purchases over $5. A unique drawing gave away a free live alligator each day; winner need not be present. (TNT 8-13-58, A-8-11) TPL-9911

S.H. Kress & Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

The National Factory Distributors building, located at Puyallup & E. "D" Sts., was for sale in September, 1958. View of rear of building was taken from the E. "D" angle on September 10, 1958, on behalf of the Salvation Army. The large wooden building had a basement, dormers, and hipped roof. In checking the 1959 City Directory, the building was listed as vacant; in 1960, Durobilt Furniture had moved in.

National Factory Distributors (Tacoma);

Window display, Rhodes Bros. Department Store, ordered by Rhodes Bros. Just prior to Christmas Day, a window display at the downtown Rhodes Bros. Department Store highlights a fine selection of glassware and delicate evening wear. A small banner suggests thoughtful ideas for the last-minute shopper could be found in the Gift Department, fourth floor. Rhodes had been in business in Tacoma since 1892 and at their 9th & Broadway location since 1903. Their famous slogan was "All Roads Lead to Rhodes." Sixteen years after this photograph was taken, Rhodes closed the downtown store. It was spared the wrecking ball to become the University of Puget Sound Law School and later purchased by the State of Washington for office space. Photograph ordered by Rhodes Bros.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Two mannequins are delicately posed in the storefront windows of Rhodes Bros. Department Store three days before Christmas, 1958. They are dressed in pink nylon gown sets whose prices apparently ranged from $14.95 to $19.95. To accessorize the gowns, soft slippers, creams, makeup and jewelry are displayed nearby. Christmas lights and gift boxes flank the window and help to illuminate the recessed display. Photograph ordered by Rhodes Bros. Department Store.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Interior of Shipman Surgical Co., ordered by Ward Smith, Inc. Shipman Surgical Co. was managed by Horace R. Miller. Located at 741 Saint Helens Ave., it sold hospital supplies. A display of wheelchairs fills the front window and a dental chair is close to the front door. Numerous shelves are full of small containers, clocks and scales. Two desks with appropriate office equipment are in the foreground of the photograph. The floor seems to be outfitted in a practical linoleum.

Shipman Surgical Co. (Tacoma); Medical equipment & supplies; Wheelchairs;

Interior of Rhodes. Christmas time at Rhodes Bros. Department Store meant plenty of festive decorations including trees and fresh garlands to provide a merry atmosphere for its customers. View of interior featuring ladies' fine sweaters, cosmetics and assorted leather handbags taken on December 22, 1958. There was still time for the last-minute shopper to choose from a wide array of gift items. Photograph ordered by Rhodes Bros. Department Store.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas decorations;

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. 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;

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 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;

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;