SPOKANE, Wash. — The White Elephant, one of Spokane’s most historic general stores, has officially been torn down.
The family-owned business, which for 75 years provided residents with items ranging from toys to sporting goods, officially shut down in June 2020.
A Panda Express will be placed in the White Elephant’s original location on N. Division Street, according to a building permit. The store’s E. Sprague Avenue location will be repurposed as “long-term space for its law enforcement needs" in Spokane Valley.
The store’s shutdown was caused by previous financial issues, which were then exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
John Conley founded the business after returning from serving in World War II, with the store originally selling military surplus, according to a release from the business. John Conley passed away in 2017, after which the business was passed down to sons Richard and Patrick and wife Mary.
“The decision to close our stores was particularly difficult considering the impact on our current employees and the next generation of our family. We have been exploring options to restructure for some time. However, with the increasingly complicated retail environment, closing is the best option. As our nation and economy enter a phased recovery, we look forward with hope to new and unexpected opportunities for our employees and family,” owners Richard Conley, Patrick Conley and Mary Conley Sr, are quoted as saying in a prior release.