The Crescent (department store)

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The Crescent

File:The Crescent Department Store Final Logo.png
Formerly	Spokane Dry Goods Company
Company type	Department store
Industry	Retail
Founded	August 5, 1889 (1889-08-05) in Spokane, Washington
Founders	Robert B. Paterson James M. Comstock
Defunct	1988 (1988)
Fate	Rebranded as Frederick & Nelson
Headquarters	707 W. Main Ave, Spokane, Washington , U.S.
Products	Apparel, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, cosmetics, and household goods.

The Crescent was a modest-sized department store chain established and headquartered in Spokane, Washington. Previously owned by Marshall Field & Company, the chain was acquired by BATUS Retail Group in 1982. In 1988, BATUS rebranded the stores under the Frederick & Nelson name, which was the company's division based in Seattle, Washington. Frederick & Nelson eventually declared bankruptcy and ceased operations in 1992. At its height, The Crescent operated seven locations across Washington and Oregon, including three stores within Spokane.

Origins

File:Former site of The Crescents department store, University City Shoppingi Center, Spokane.jpg

Vacant former University City location

Initially known as the Spokane Dry Goods Company, The Crescent served as Spokane’s premier department store for many years. Its first store opened on West Riverside Avenue adjacent to the Spokesman-Review Building on August 5, 1889—just one day after the Great Fire devastated much of downtown Spokane. As the sole surviving dry goods retailer in the area, all inventory was sold out on opening day. Founders Robert B. Paterson and James M. Comstock contributed to recovery efforts by maintaining fair pricing despite the disaster, establishing a company ethos to “be fair to everyone.” Construction of The Crescent building—designed by prominent Spokane architect Loren L. Rand—commenced in 1917 and concluded in 1919. Originally five stories tall, the structure was later expanded to seven floors. In 1949, The Crescent acquired the neighboring Alexander Building to its south, extending its footprint to cover half a city block. The final enlargement occurred in 1973 when the northwest corner of the block was incorporated.

Growth

The Crescent opened its first suburban branch in 1959 at Northtown Mall, marking Spokane’s inaugural regional shopping center. In 1962, ownership transferred to Chicago-based Marshall Field & Company—owners of Seattle’s Frederick & Nelson since 1929—and The Crescent adopted Marshall Field’s branding style. A second suburban outlet launched in 1969 at University City shopping center in Spokane Valley.

In 1987, four of Frederick & Nelson’s six Oregon stores were acquired by The Crescent. One remaining location at Washington Square in Tigard continued operating under Frederick & Nelson branding while another in Salem was closed. These four acquired stores were subsequently sold to Lamonts in 1988.

File:Former Crescents Department Store, downtown Spokane.jpg

Downtown Spokane location

In 1982, BATUS Retail Group purchased both The Crescent and its parent company Marshall Field’s. BATUS divested The Crescent and Frederick & Nelson in 1986; two years later, The Crescent stores were rebranded as Frederick & Nelson before ultimately closing in 1992. The former downtown Spokane store—situated at Main and Wall streets—has since been renamed Crescent Court and now accommodates retail shops and office spaces.

References

• "R.L. Polk's Spokane City Directory, 1950-1985"
• Archives of the Spokesman-Review