Guide to the Thompson's Drugs Photograph Collection
ca. 1947

Women at cosmetics counter, Thompson's Drugs, ca. 1947. Special Collections, UW Libraries, UW23691z

Historical Note

Seattle pharmacist Albert C. Thompson and his son Albert Jr. opened Thompson's Drugs as part of the new Bellevue Square shopping center in 1946. The owner's sales expectations were exceeded by more than a third in the store's first year, which they attributed to the ingenuity of the shopping center's design. The new centralized shopping location accommodated more than thirty different businesses and ample free parking, drawing shoppers from Seattle and other environs as it provided an easy and convenient drive-up shopping experience. Thompson's Drugs was recognized for its modern, appealing architecture. Design efforts were focused on easy display of products. Large plate-glass windows, along with a wide and shallow floor plan and walls and aisles set at oblique angles to the front, made nearly everything in the store easily visible. White ceilings, lightly colored walls, and generous lighting, which came from 26 recessed bulbs, enhanced merchandise visibility. Mirrors behind the soda fountain further extended the customers' view of wares.

Scope and Content

The collection's black-and-white photographs show the modern design of Thompson's Drugs, built in 1946 as part of the new Bellevue Square shopping center in Bellevue, Washington. The images include window displays, cosmetics and prescription counters, the soda fountain, and the magazine section. A five-page typewritten text discussing the building's design accompanies the photos.

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open to the public.

Acquisition Info

Source: Fairlook Antiques, Seattle, November 1996.

Processing Info

Processed by Sarah Nelson, 2004.

Inventory

Folder

Item

Date

1

1

Postcard of Bellevue Shopping Center and parking lot showing Kandy Kane Restaurant and Bell-Vue Theatre

ca. 1947

2

Thompson's Drugs with plate-glass windows and jewel-case displays

ca. 1947

3-5

Nighttime view from sidewalk of lit jewel-case displays, including Carnation Ice Cream

ca. 1947

6

Close-up view of jewel-case fingernail polish display

ca. 1947

7

View through open front door of Holiday magazine display in entryway

ca. 1947

8

Close-up of display of Holiday magazine featuring state of Washington

ca. 1947

9

View through plate-glass windows of well-lit drugstore interior

ca. 1947

10

Cosmetics counter in drugstore

ca. 1947

11

Shelves and displays of merchandise in drugstore

ca. 1947

12

Prescriptions counter in drugstore

ca. 1947

13

Patrons seated at soda fountain in drugstore

ca. 1947

14

Party or grand opening in drugstore

ca. 1947

15

Typewritten essay by Edward R. Lucas about Thompson's Drugs

ca. 1947

Discusses the modern design elements of the popular drugstore.

Subject Terms

Organizations:

Thompson's Drugs (Bellevue, Wash.)

Geographic Names:

Bellevue (Wash.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs.

Subjects:

Commercial buildings--Washington (State)--Bellevue--Photographs.

Drugstores--Washington (State)--Bellevue--Photographs.

Modern movement (Architecture)--Washington (State)--Bellevue.

Show windows--Washington (State)--Bellevue--Photographs.

Soda fountains--Washington (State)--Bellevue--Photographs.