The story about a small 1950s department store that grew and grew… Emporium…Emporium…POWER SALE!

This is the story of a small department store that grew and grew – where did it start and how did it end?

Missouri-born entrepreneur Dallas Troutman began his retail career as a teenager in Tennessee, employed by clothing shops. He and his then-wife Joyce moved to Springfield, Oregon and by 1950 and soon relocated to North Bend. In 1955, he opened his first family department store, The Emporium, located in a building formerly occupied by Safeway.

Eight years later, it would become an anchor store managed by his brother in the new Pony Village Shopping Center. This was the beginning of a 34-store, 1,600- employee chain stretching across Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, and California, where it is known as Troutman’s due to legal restrictions with the Emporium-Capwell name.

He would establish stores in 13 small and large Oregon cities. The Beaverton Mall location (now Cedar Hills Crossing) opened in 1977 in a space previously occupied by J.T. King Department Store.

The chain grew rapidly in the 1980s, from 13 stores to 27 by decade’s end. The family-owned retail network gained shoppers’ appreciation for a well-stocked inventory of clothing for all ages, household décor, luggage, gifts, and fragrances. Troutman’s offered customer service that included free basic alterations, free gift wrapping on in-house purchases, senior discounts, and employment for high school students, often in their first jobs.

The retail industry was transforming by the late 1990s, however, as competition and changing preferences had caused customer migration. The inventory was sometimes viewed as too mature and not in keeping with current trends, while big-box retailers, national discount chains, and upscale specialty shops grew in size and number. A 2002 national economic slowdown also contributed to its demise.

After 48 years, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after failing to secure financing and attempting to restructure. The iconic “Power Sale” had given way to a “Going Out of Business Sale” at all locations. The enterprise’s last four stores closed in 2003.

Although the stores have given way to other shopping opportunities, customers fondly remember Mr. Troutman and his customer-first approach.

Dallas Troutman died in 2007 of heart disease. He is interred in Springfield, OR

By Ann Koppy, local historian.