Spokane7
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December 11, 2011 in Business
Conley family serves up 65 years worth of White Elephant deals
The second and third generations of the Conley family stand outside the iconic store on North Division for a family photo on Dec. 5. From left: Rich Conley with his daughter Katie Conley Mustered, and Ben Conley with his father Pat.
(Full-size photo)
John Conley was a teenager fresh out of the Navy when he opened his first White Elephant military surplus store in 1946.
“The term ‘white elephant’ refers to something expensive that nobody wants,” explained Pat Conley, the fourth of John and Mary Conley’s seven sons. “When Dad started, he sold all the war stuff the military didn’t want anymore – blankets, helmets … even trucks.”
Gradually, Conley expanded his inventory to include hardware and sporting goods. And when the fifth of his 11 children arrived in the late 1950s, he figured it was time to add a toy section.
Today, the White Elephant stores on North Division Street and East Sprague Avenue are landmarks and something of a family dynasty. Almost a fourth of company employees are Conley relatives.
Pat Conley runs the East Sprague store, and the eldest son, Rich, manages the company and the Division store. The brothers took time out of their hectic holiday schedules to reminisce about the early days and share their vision for White Elephant.
S-R: What was Christmas like for children whose parents owned a toy store?
Pat: Dad was always real conservative, so we each got only one toy.
Rich: But he’d be up all night putting stuff together. There was always a big display around the Christmas tree.
S-R: What’s your earliest recollection of the store?
Rich: We went to St. Aloysius (elementary, several blocks away) and we lived in Colbert, so we’d be in here every day after school.
S-R: When did you start working in the store?
Pat: As soon as we could sweep. I remember cleaning out the coal furnace, and then sweeping the floors at night. Dad always had us carry a pan of sawdust and sand with an oil in it, and we’d spread it down the aisles – we called it “feeding the chickens” – and then we’d sweep.
Rich: When my own kids were 2 and 3 years old, they’d spend Sundays with us stocking the store. My daughter used to hang up all the Barbie doll clothes.
S-R: Did you have a favorite section when you were growing up?
Pat: My favorite was the Breyer horses.
Rich: I remember we had Matchbox toys in a display case numbered one through 69, and I kept all the cars in order.
S-R: Did you always imagine someday you’d run the business?
Rich: Yes. Dad’s dream was a store for each of the seven boys. But the other five went on to different things.
S-R: What is White Elephant’s business philosophy?
Rich: Buy cheap, buy closeouts, buy discontinued items – white elephants – and sell them at a good price.
Pat: For instance, those metal sleds out front are hard to come by. A couple of weeks ago, I found them at a distributor who was closing them out, and I grabbed them.
S-R: Do you sometimes get deals on oddities?
Rich: We bought all the souvenirs left over from Expo ’74.
Pat: Two semitruck loads. They filled up the whole basement.
S-R: Anything left?
Rich: Oh, yeah. Ashtrays don’t sell like they used to.
S-R: Despite your success, the North Division store hasn’t changed much in six decades. Why?
Pat: We talked to an architect about rebuilding, but because of Spokane’s zoning laws, we wouldn’t have enough parking spaces even if we tore down the building. So we’re working internally – things like adding lights to brighten it up.
S-R: White Elephant didn’t accept credit cards until 1995. Was that a painful transition?
Rich: It was for Dad.
Pat: We had the credit-card deal all lined up for three years, but we had to wait until he went on a 12-week trip to Europe to activate it.
S-R: How’d he react when he got back?
Pat: He just groaned – until he saw the first (sales) totals.
S-R: Any more changes on the horizon, such as Internet sales?
Pat: We installed a POS (point-of-sale) system this year for better inventory control between our two stores. That, in turn, will help us get onto the Internet. We’re also trying to organize the two stores the same way, so when customers come into either store they can go to the same area and find the same products.
S-R: Is your 84-year-old father still involved in the business?
Rich: Yes. He pays all the bills from home. And whenever he comes down to the store, customers line up to shake his hand.
S-R: Could someone today do what your dad did in 1946?
Pat: No, because of all the big-box stores out there. He didn’t have to compete with that.
S-R: With so many businesses failing, what’s your secret?
Pat: We own the property, so our overhead is low. And we have a long outlook. We’re trying to make this a next-generation business for our family and our employees’ families. People are constantly wanting to buy us out. But this is our livelihood, and our kids’ and their kids’.
Spokane freelance writer Michael Guilfoil can be reached at mguilfoil@comcast.net.
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misjustice on December 11 at 4:13 p.m.
Wasn’t it Pat Conley that testified, as a witness for the defense, at Karl Thompson’s trial?
I will NEVER shop at this establishment!
dataxman on December 11 at 4:39 p.m.
+1 mj
Albert on December 11 at 4:48 p.m.
Ms. Justice…make that my stand as well. This place is a mockery of Otto. Goodbye White Elephant forever!!!
DocTom on December 11 at 5:08 p.m.
I will avoid this “establishment” like the plague. Remember Otto!
??Riddler?? on December 11 at 5:53 p.m.
?? “…testified for the defense…” ??
?? Does that mean the defense called him as a witness, or does it mean that he called the defense team and volunteered ??
?? “…everytime he lied…”. If you were there and saw something that contradicted Mr. Conley’s testimony, why didn’t you come forward ??
?? The regurgitation of Zehm/Thompson continues. Ad nauseum. Brains on Otto Pilot ??
The_Seer on December 11 at 6:23 p.m.
riddler: You didn’t need to be there to understand that what Conley testified to wasn’t possible.
As for the defense putting liars on the stand, remember Tim Moses? Remember the conviction of Thompson that basically confirms that he lied on the stand as well?
nslopeofw on December 11 at 6:24 p.m.
Another cop above
Pilewort54 on December 11 at 6:24 p.m.
If you need a factory-new handgun, look no further than the Conleys. They are straight shooters.
??Riddler?? on December 11 at 6:41 p.m.
?? Liars on the stand ??
?? Was I wrong when I assumed that it was the function of the jury to determine who was telling the truth ??
?? The_Seer??
See above, re: responsibility of the jury (not relegated to blogoholics)
misjustice on December 11 at 6:52 p.m.
Since when is a dude that sells second rate junk an “expert witness”?????
“The defense called Patrick Conley as their second expert witness. Conley is a retail manager of the White Elephant, which is located across the street from the Zip Trip. Conley says he saw Thompson and Zehm wrestling inside the store when he arrived. Conley says he did not see the initial interaction between the two men. He says he saw Thompson had a hold of Zehm’s hair.
Conley says Zehm appeared to be angry at the time and had closed fists. When prompted by attorneys, Conley says Zehm was resisting.
Conley says he heard the officers tell Zehm to calm down, but Zehm growled at them and never stopped swinging or struggling. Conley also states that he saw Zehm spitting. Conley says he did not see Zehm punch or kick Thompson and did not see a taser being used.”
http://www.krem.com/home/Video-expert-takes-the-stand-in-officers-trial-132625548.html
Conley was called to support the defense claim that the marks on poor Otto’s skull were caused by Thompson “pulling” Otto’s hair; not by an Ironwood baton to the head….
Conley is a liar. And no expert, IMO…
Pilewort54 on December 11 at 7:06 p.m.
<<brains on=”” otto=”” pilot=”“ ??=”“>>
Obviously. I’ll bet Creach bought his gun from Pat.
??Riddler?? on December 11 at 7:45 p.m.
?? Don’t we all LOVE “Otto-mation ??
?? The Otto Pilots can turn ANY story into a regurgitation ??
misjustice on December 11 at 7:52 p.m.
Well, Riddler, most folks love Otto more than they love the CONVICTED FELON Thompson…
Just sayin’…
Truthhurts on December 11 at 8:20 p.m.
Pat Conley needs to recant and apologize for his obviously manufactured testimony in the Zehm case.
I have quit putting foot in their stores — after over 40 years of shopping at the White Elephant.
I used to save up my allowance to buy Matchbox cars and fishing jigs at the White Elephant. I bought handguns there, many, many fishing poles and reels, endless miles of fishing line, and countless lures. And then, the toys! So many toys.
But I will never again give them a penny until Pat Conley apologizes.
Truthhurts on December 11 at 8:25 p.m.
The “Riddler” is interesting. We are all sitting around our house tonight trying to figureout if “Riddler” is Thompson, Oreskovich, or Conley himself.
Fetch on December 11 at 8:27 p.m.
I was in the store, a few years back, and asked a question about a product to one of the people behind the counter. This person walked away and went to talk to one of his buddies. i have not been in the store since.
RedCedar on December 11 at 8:58 p.m.
The White Elephant is probably the only parking lot anywhere on East Sprague that is remotely close to full most of the time. East Sprague is a wasteland of vacant parking lots. It sounds to me like it’s time for Spokane to reconsider its zoning regarding parking spaces. In recent years, most big cities have actually reduced their parking requirements both for retail and apartments
thmarshal on December 11 at 8:59 p.m.
As I can see, some of you have never stepped up to the plate. If you happen to be at a crime scene, and see something, the police are going to ask for a statement. Most people have the intestinal fortitude to get involved, some don’t.
Possibly you may get called into court for trial. The defense and or the prosecution may do so for your statement.
If you don’t respond to the subpeona, you can be charged for contempt of court. Jail time and/or a fine can be imposed.
When you tesify in court, tell the truth. Don’t get involved with what others are saying or doing. You are the only one that counst, stick with the truth.
Pat stepped up to the plate and got involved. He gave his statement honestly as to what he saw.
I have known Pat for decades. He is honest and reputable. He’s not afraid to get involved, helping .I don’t believe he should be pursecuted for getting involved.
Some day you may need someone like Pat to step up to the plate for you.
I’m Proud to call Pat a friend and respectfully back him.
Albert on December 11 at 9:14 p.m.
@marshal…figures…your handle says it all. I’ll betcha you stood up and rendered a great salute as well.
misjustice on December 11 at 9:24 p.m.
@ Albert, Lol!
; )
??Riddler?? on December 11 at 9:59 p.m.
?? thmarshal ??
I agree… For all you “Pilots,” rent a copy of “Rashomon” if you can find it.
opiemuyo on December 11 at 10:31 p.m.
Agree, ??Riddler?? but do you think the knuckle draggers can understand the story told in Rashomon? Methinks not. Netflix BTW,
cryssT on December 11 at 11:11 p.m.
and I just wish the SR would either limit all of us to one comment a day.
Slightlyworried on December 11 at 11:14 p.m.
The only witness who backed up Thompson was the gentlemen from the White Elephant. I wonder if he has had second thoughts about his “testimony”?
greenlibertarian on December 12 at 12:09 a.m.
C:\>
Yep.
Jethro_toll on December 12 at 6:45 a.m.
Took 2.3 seconds for the beating to begin… takes a lot longer to walk 1/2 a block and put on your X-Ray glasses from the Toy Department.
Diddler taking it on the chin.
wheresdabeach on December 12 at 10:52 a.m.
Being new to Spokane and trying to educate myself on recent/current events and get to know the area, I am utterly shocked at what I read here! How can you people be so judgmental and self-righteous?! You’re going to boycott a store because the guy that owns it testified in a trial? And how do you idiots know if he lied or not? Were you sitting on his shoulder that night? And why does he need to apologize? Wow. I hope you people are a very small minority that doesn’t venture out in public very often.
kennyhuston on December 12 at 11:10 a.m.
My grandfather took me here to buy my first fishing pole, as he did with my father. I in turn, took my daughter here to buy her first pole. My good friend Pat Burns’ father worked there his whole life.
*****See above comment from Truthhurts 12/11 8:20 PM*****
Christmas won’t seem the same now without stopping in there for X-Mas presents. Oh well, my dad used to say that an effective way to send a message is to QUIT supporting them financially. By next fishing season when my daughter asks why we’re not shopping at the WE I can now pass on this belief that my father installed in me.
Sorry to the Con’ley family, but it also saddens me to have to end a family tradition.
If you don’t stand for something, then you’ll fall for nothing … … . .
REMEMBER OTTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Otto_Pilot on December 12 at 11:16 a.m.
Welcome to KJZR: Home of the Knee-Jerk-Zehm Reference.
All Zehm. All the Time.
kennyhuston on December 12 at 11:25 a.m.
@ wheresdabeach
Firstoff - let me welcome you to The Lilac City! To understand the comment thread, please take these few steps.
1) Have a look at the video of the event Pat Conley testified to.
http://video.kxly.com/watch.php?id=1703
2) Compare the video to his testimony
(please help me out someone on this link)
3) Please re-read your comment
Any questions?
REMEMBER OTTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Otto_Pilot on December 12 at 11:39 a.m.
@kennyhouston:
OK…..
Witnesses are supposed to WATCH the video, THEN testify to what they remember seeing.
Got it!!
(Whew, I had it wrong before.)
PlanB on December 12 at 12:17 p.m.
I’ve been going to White Elephant my whole life, it is my son’s favorite store and I like the recent changes they have made. I’ll probably continue shopping there occasionally, but his testimony really bothered me because so much of it was a total fabrication. Sure, he had to testify but he should have said what he really knew, which was nothing. He didn’t loose all my business, but I will be less likely to shop there.
Ashree_Simon on December 12 at 2:50 p.m.
I will continue to support the White Elephant. I know the family and they are nothing but good people who really care about our community. Pat Conley did nothing wrong. He was just testifying to what he saw. It was a tragedy what happened to Otto, but Conley testified to what only he saw without any fabrication.
There are a certain few who frequently abuse this forum for your own self-indulgence. Do you know how predictable and trite you are?
wheresdabeach on December 12 at 7:39 p.m.
I watched the video. It is tragic and I can see why Thompson was found guilty. But I don’t know what Mr. Conley testified to and I doubt anyone without a transcript knows either. What reason would Mr. Conley have to lie under oath? Doesn’t make sense. Now I’m going to make a point to check out this store.
Slightlyworried on December 12 at 11:38 p.m.
“But I don’t know what Mr. Conley testified to and I doubt anyone without a transcript knows either”
I watched the trial. Every civilian witness—except Conley—testified consistently regarding the events leading up to the vicious and unprovoked beating. But not Conley. He stood firm with the cops who took the stand and lied for Thompson. I am done shopping at his store if the thinks committing perjury for someone like Thompson is the best way to support our community. You have seen my last dollar Mr. Conley.
Truthhurts on December 13 at 6:34 a.m.
Dear Wheresdebeach: The first thing you need to do is go where Conley says he was, remember that Zehm was down with overhand blows to the head (deadly force) within 2-3 seconds, and then walk to where Conley says he walked, and then let us know.
Review the testimony summarized and linked above.
If you cannot get the facts straight, please move away.
I was born here nearly 60 years ago, and the right-wing, let’s-have-the-cops-violate-everyone’s-rights, immigration from California and other points ignorant, has been a great bane to Spokane (e.g., Thompson and those who covered up for him).
kennyhuston on December 13 at 9:39 a.m.
@Otto_Pilot
WTF are you talking about? My instructions were not that complicated, COMPARING the video of the events to Mr. Conley’s statement.
Your choice of a username continues to mock the death of an innocent individual, as well as your comments. Grow up.
Aren’t you supposed to be listening to KSCC anyways, (Knowingly Supports Convicted Cops)? Where the cops are always right - even if they’re lying!
REMEMBER OTTO!!!!!!!!!!!
Otto_Pilot on December 13 at 9:51 a.m.
@ kennyhuston
Dear Mr. Huston:
Quoting from my post on another article:
“Mr. Zehm’s death was a tragedy.
Mr. Thompson’s behavior was both a tragedy and a discrace.
The behavior of those who tried to cover it up was a discrace.
The only thing more discraceful is the use of Otto by self-serving sycophants to further their own agendas.”
Slightlyworried on December 13 at 10:06 a.m.
@Otto_Pilot:
I admit my agenda is to make sure the police in this area are not above the law.
Otto_Pilot on December 13 at 10:59 a.m.
@Slightlyworried
Absolutely no problem with your stated agenda.
wheresdabeach on December 13 at 11:33 a.m.
Yikes. I’m just going back off from these types. I see now what others were talking about. Some of you really do have some kind of agenda here and it certainly doesn’t include open, unbiased dialect or exchange of ideas and opinions. Just insults and speculation. Oh well, at least the people I come into physical contact with are not like you guys. Spokane is awesome. I’m staying.
Slightlyworried on December 13 at 1:21 p.m.
@wheresdabeach:
The videotape is unbiased. It has no agenda. It doesn’t have an opinion. It contains no speculation. It’s just the truth.
Thompson gave a statement that night and followed it up a few days late with a more detailed statement. He talked about Otto taking a boxing stance and punching him as justification for use of his baton. He described blows to the body and not the head.
Then you watch the video. Otto is not running into the store as described by Conley. He walking at a normal happy go lucky pace. Thompson enters the store with his baton drawn.
From the time Thompson says something to Otto to the time the first blow hits Otto’s head is 2.2 seconds. Otto never takes a boxing stance. He never swings at Thompson. He just takes blow after savage blow to the head. He’s then hogtied in violation of department policy. He’s then left on his stomach in violation of department policy. He’s then denied oxygen by the placement of a non-rebreather mask is placed over his face. By the time paramedics arrive his heart has already stopped.
Conley takes the stand and says he can see the whole thing from his parking lot. And unlike the civilian witnesses inside the store with a clear view, he backs up Thompson’s version that will later proved to be a big lie when the video is released.
People in Spokane roughly fall into two categories: (1) those who are sickened by the murder of Otto and it’s subsequent cover-up, and (2) those who blindly support the police regardless of the unbiased facts. Mr. Conley falls squarely into that last group.
misjustice on December 13 at 7:48 p.m.
Slightlyworried for the win; and a better explanation of why I’ll NEVER shop at the White Elephants (and encourage my friends not to shop there either)…I won’t support liars, hell bent on trying to help a lying cop, with my hard earned dollars.
Birds of a feather flock together…
Just sayin’…
Davida on December 15 at 8:51 p.m.
I don’t believe Mr Conley lied….he had no reason to…..I believe he testified to what he saw and heard…..When a person stands up to defense lawyers trying to get you to say what they want you to say…and you stand true to what you saw….and tell it like it was….that is a truthful man….unfortunate now ones who don’t like what he testified to call him a liar…..HE HAD NO REASON to lie….
misjustice on December 16 at 7:23 p.m.
^ Funny, a cop, defending a liar that lied to help a lying cop…
Slightlyworried on December 16 at 7:36 p.m.
We know Conley lied because the videotaped PROVED him to be a liar. The videotaped PROVED Thompson to be a liar. This was an open and shut case of police brutality. And the only person who backed up Thompson was Conley. The other civilian witnesses testified consistently with the videotape.
Again, the videotape was unbiased. It had no agenda. It didn’t have an opinion. It did not contain any speculation. It was just the truth.
Thank God for the videotape.
greenlibertarian on December 16 at 7:50 p.m.
Perhaps Mr. Conley enjoys an “enhanced” level of service from SPD and SO in the Valley.
Who knows?
What we do know is his testimony was quite different from every other civilian eyewitness, quite different from what the video tape showed, and he was the furthest away from the scene. He did not have a line of sight to see what he testified to seeing. I will not go so far but I can certainly understand making the claim that Mr. Conley was lying.
I haven’t shopped at a White Elephant in many years, and have no compunction to do so.
Truthhurts on December 17 at 12:14 a.m.
Yep, wheresdabeach. The videotype shows Conley lied.
Truthhurts on December 17 at 12:15 a.m.
Also, the videotape showed Conley lied.
misjustice on December 17 at 10:20 a.m.
The video tape shows that Thompson AND Conley LIED! Lying liars and the lies they tell!
John_Fever_Richmond on December 19 at 2:27 p.m.
Conley probably “learned” how to testify from Karl the Klubber so why don’t you all just give him a break? I buy some of my ingredients for my batch from there, (gun bluing agent).
See how many wonderful ways Conley & WE enhance our standard of living here in Spokompton?
robbie on December 26 at 8:20 p.m.
I think it would be interesting to hear from Ed Conley, the family member who actually built the Valley White Elephant Store.