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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 Green handwoven skirt from Chamberlin’s, 1950

Green handwoven skirt from Chamberlin’s, 1950

Chamberlin’s was a Seattle brand of fashionable handwoven clothing run by Edward and Helen Chamberlin. The weaving was done by skilled blind craftspeople who were trained through the Division for the Blind of the State of Washington. Chamberlin’s had a storefront in Seattle and a wholesale division which sold to stores around the country.
ID Number:2016.4.7
Date:1950
Image of Multicolored high heels from Nordstrom, ca. 1950s

Multicolored high heels from Nordstrom, ca. 1950s

Nordstrom began as a shoe retailer established in Seattle in 1901 by Carl Wallin and Swedish immigrant John Nordstrom (Wallin & Nordstrom). By 1929, both Nordstrom and Wallin had retired and sold their shares to Nordstrom's sons, Everett and Elmer. In 1930, when the newly remodeled Second Avenue store was reopened, the name changed to Nordstrom, or sometimes Nordstrom’s. In…
ID Number:2016.4.8
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Tan felt hat with John Eaton label, ca. 1950s-1960s

Tan felt hat with John Eaton label, ca. 1950s-1960s

This twist on a classic pillbox hat is made with tan colored felt. Cornish School of Arts graduate John Eaton (1914-1991) was a successful milliner, designer, and teacher whose individually-styled hats became known all over the country. Eaton and partner James Neher opened their first store in 1950, and eventually opened “John Eaton Of Course!” at 509 Pine Street, across…
ID Number:2016.4.9
Date:Circa 1950-1960
Image of Shirt with pattern of people made by Union Bay, ca. 1980s-1990s

Shirt with pattern of people made by Union Bay, ca. 1980s-1990s

Founded in 1981 and named after Seattle's Union Bay on Lake Washington, UNIONBAY is one of the city's longest-running jeans and casualwear companies. This shirt, from the late 1980s or early 1990s, features a print of rows and rows of people, with lettering spelling out U N I O N B A Y.
ID Number:2016.4.10
Date:Circa 1980-1990
Image of Pair of children's orthopedic shoes, ca. 1940s-1970s

Pair of children's orthopedic shoes, ca. 1940s-1970s

These corrective shoes with the attached bar were sold at Seattle department store Nordstrom.
ID Number:2016.4.12
Date:Circa 1940-1970
Image of Matchbook from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1950

Matchbook from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1950

Frederick & Nelson, founded by Donald E. Frederick (1860-1937) and Nels B. Nelson (1854-1907) in 1891, was for many years Seattle's premier department store. They began by selling used furniture during the rebuilding of Seattle after the Great Fire of 1889, and expanded to include home delivery of goods, a tea room, and ready-to-wear men's and women's fashions. In 1992,…
ID Number:2016.20.27
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Yardage of

Yardage of "The Great Northwest" fabric designed and sold by Pacific Fabrics & Crafts, 2016

Pacific Fabrics & Crafts evolved from the original Pacific Iron & Metal company founded in Seattle in 1917 by Jules Glant. He started by recycling scrap metal and rags from the back of his horse-drawn wagon, and this eventually turned into a large recycling operation, and surplus and discarded fabrics were sold at the company’s warehouse on 4th Avenue South…
ID Number:2016.26.1
Date:2016
Image of Yardage of

Yardage of "Washington State Toile" fabric designed and sold by Pacific Fabrics & Crafts, 2016

Pacific Fabrics & Crafts evolved from the original Pacific Iron & Metal company founded in Seattle in 1917 by Jules Glant. He started by recycling scrap metal and rags from the back of his horse-drawn wagon, and this eventually turned into a large recycling operation, and surplus and discarded fabrics were sold at the company’s warehouse on 4th Avenue South…
ID Number:2016.26.2
Date:2016
Image of Two original Amazon Fresh delivery bags, ca. 2009

Two original Amazon Fresh delivery bags, ca. 2009

Online retailer Amazon.com offers quick home grocery delivery, with goods often available same day or the next day depending on the time of the order and availability of trucks.
ID Number:2016.71.1
Date:2009
Image of Hard-sided Amazon Fresh delivery bag, ca. 2016

Hard-sided Amazon Fresh delivery bag, ca. 2016

Online retailer Amazon.com offers quick home grocery delivery, with goods often available same day or the next day depending on the time of the order and availability of trucks.
ID Number:2016.71.4
Date:2016
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MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
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Phone: 206 324 1126
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