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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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412 results for: Retail and Department Stores

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Image of Warshal's Sporting Goods neon sign, ca. 1935

Warshal's Sporting Goods neon sign, ca. 1935

This Art Deco neon sign once graced the front of Warshal’s Sporting Goods store that was located in downtown Seattle at the corner of First Ave and Madison Street. Warshal’s opened in 1922 and sold clothing and gear to adventurous Seattleites for nearly 80 years until it closed down in 2001.
ID Number:2001.58.1
Date:Circa 1930-1940
Image of Starbucks car mug with lid, ca. 1990

Starbucks car mug with lid, ca. 1990

This Starbucks Coffee mug was made for drinking beverages in the car in the 1990s. The lid can be turned to seal the mug, and the rubber ring on base keeps it from sliding.
ID Number:2001.62.1
Date:Circa 1990
Image of Seattle Rain Festival sweatshirt, ca. 1996

Seattle Rain Festival sweatshirt, ca. 1996

Local apparel company Primal Screens first created these comedic “Seattle Rain Festival” sweatshirts in 1982. According to the shirt, the “Rain Festival” runs from January 1st to December 31st. Besides being a jab at Seattle’s rainy reputation, it also pokes fun at the city’s love of festivals. The donor of this sweatshirt purchased it around 1996 at a shop in…
ID Number:2001.62.3
Date:Circa 1996
Image of Cream silk satin evening dress, sold by Madame Thiry, ca. 1933

Cream silk satin evening dress, sold by Madame Thiry, ca. 1933

This silk dress with bias-cut panels has a label from “Madame Thiry,” a fashionable Seattle shop run by Louise Schwaebele Thiry. Thiry was born in Paris and came west in the early 20th century. Her fashion career started as a side business—importing goods from Paris to sell in Alaska and Seattle for supplementary income. After her husband left for WWI…
ID Number:2001.86.7C599
Date:Circa 1929-1933
Image of Amazon.com shipping box, ca. 2001

Amazon.com shipping box, ca. 2001

While this particular box does not have iconic significance, it does represent the backbone of business for Amazon.com, the online ordering company started by Jeff Bezos in 1994 in Seattle. Many consumers recieve these same boxes everyday on their doorstep.
ID Number:2001.95.2.2
Date:Circa 2001
Image of Frango mints food box, ca. 1950s

Frango mints food box, ca. 1950s

Frango's chocolates were originally made in the candy kitchen atop the Frederick & Nelson store in downtown Seattle and were sold in the store starting in 1918 until it closed in 1992. Ownership of the name changed with mergers and Chicago store Marshall Field's produced their own version using a different recipe. Today, you can still buy these delicious candies…
ID Number:2002.10.1
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Jamacas Rum Frango container, ca. 1950s

Jamacas Rum Frango container, ca. 1950s

Frangos were first developed and sold by Seattle department store Frederick & Nelson in 1918 and continue to be sold at Macy's stores everywhere. This round box, once filled with Jamacas Rum flavor Frango chocolate truffles, was sold in the 1950s.
ID Number:2002.10.2
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Silk cocktail dress designed by Emilio Pucci, ca. 1970s

Silk cocktail dress designed by Emilio Pucci, ca. 1970s

Italian designer Emilio Pucci was known for geometric and kaleidoscopic bright prints, and sleek silhouettes that were influenced by his background in sportswear. The dress was purchased from the “Designer Room” at Seattle department store Frederick & Nelson. The Designer Room was the department with the highest-end fashions—selling couture from Europe and top American designers from New York to Los…
ID Number:2002.42.4
Date:Circa 1970
Image of Pair of green satin heels, ca. 1970s

Pair of green satin heels, ca. 1970s

These green satin spiked heels were purchased at Frederick & Nelson to be worn with matching evening dress and purse also in the MOHAI collection.
ID Number:2002.42.10
Date:Circa 1970
Image of Straw hat with snake, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1989-1991

Straw hat with snake, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1989-1991

This hat was made by milliner Wayne Wichern, formerly of Seattle. He is quoted as saying, "By putting on a hat we become a different person. We are becoming the theater instead of the observer." He started making hats in 1986 and now currently resides in California.
ID Number:2002.77.1
Date:Circa 1989-1991
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