The Ellis-Forde Building
The Mercantile honors the history of the Ellis-Forde building and the evolution of retailing that transpired within its walls.
Originally the site of a saloon and an ice house, George Ellis and James Forde purchased the lot in 1905. They constructed the two-story building and relocated their merchandising company, which eventually become the area’s first chain department store, The Ellis-Forde Co.
In 1919, Ellis and Forde sold the building to Michael Murray, who opened a department store called The Emporium, with the Emporium Apartments on the second floor. The Ellis-Forde department store moved to a larger location, occupying an entire city block to accommodate its vast stock of clothing, furniture and household goods.
In the early 1930s, the building was leased to the Golden Rule store, part of a national franchise started by James Cash Penney. In 1940, the Golden Rule relocated down the street to 101 N. Wenatchee, on land today occupied by the Numerica PAC. J.J. Newberry Department Store then replaced the Golden Rule in the Ellis-Forde building.
Subsequent businesses occupying the space included the Ben Franklin five-and-ten-cents store from 1963 to 1967 and the Bonanza Variety Store from 1971 to 1988. David Rodstol purchased the building in 1991 and opened an office supply store.
In October 2018, the building was purchased by Hub and Spoke Holdings LLC.