The Pacific Outfitting Company of Seattle was founded in 1907 by Polish immigrant Alfred Shemanski (1875-1966). The store was one of several in a chain begun by Alfred and his brothers, including the Eastern Outfitting Company in Portland started by Joseph Shemanski. The Pacific opened as a clothing store for women, soon expanding to sell men’s apparel as well. The store was managed by community advocate Max Lipman (1885-1953) from 1912 until his death. The store continued to remain in business until 1991, when the corporation was dissolved.
This image of the original Seattle Meter Maids shows 20 women wearing uniforms designed by Pacific Outfitting Company. They are posed for a news story about the newly created positions designed to work in cooperation with police to check parking meters.
Caption information source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 26, 1957
ID Number: 2008.3.18.18
Date: 1957
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv64495
Credit: MOHAI, Collection on the Pacific Outfitting Company, 2008.3.18.18
