After 74 years, White Elephant's final day of business is here

On the White Elephant’s final day in business Sunday, family, friends, employees, and long-time customers came to share stories and take home memorabilia. The store closed its final location for good after 74 years in business. The storebusiness was founded as an Army surplus store in 1946 by John Conley Sr.

Section:Gallery

Sun., July 26, 2020

Employees Toni Bradford, center, and Celeste Carnine, right, ring up customer purchases during the White Elephant’s final hours of business on Sunday. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies, closed its doors for the final time after 74 years of operation.

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Braxton McNutt, 6, rides Elie the Elephant after shopping for toys during the White Elephant’s final hours of business on Sunday.

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Painted windows on White Elephant read "End of an Era" to signify the liquidation sale on its final day of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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Marlene Tracy browses through small toys for gifts during the White Elephant’s final hours of business on Sunday. The store was founded as an Army surplus store in 1946 by John Conley Sr.

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Braxton McNutt, 6, and Adreonna McNutt leave the Toyland portion of White Elephant during the final hours of business on July 26, 2020, making the McNutts some of the last people to shop for toys there. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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White Elephant employee Steve Hughett receives chocolate ice cream from Ed Ritchie of Mary Lou's Milk Bottle during White Elephant's final day of business on July 26, 2020. Management of the White Elephant purchased ice cream for all of its employees and kept the stand outside for customers who could pay for a sweet treat while they waited in line to enter the store.

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Shelves completely emptied during White Elephant's liquidation sale are seen on the final day of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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Father and son Rick and Ryan Gonwick look through the fish hook selection during White Elephant's final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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All parking areas were full during White Elephant's final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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A child walks through the Toyland area of White Elephant on its final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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Crowds of customers check out their purchases during White Elephant's final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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Employee Steve Hughett chats with a customer during White Elephant's final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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Odds and ends remained in the hunting area during White Elephant's final day of business, including these artificial Canada goose heads on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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Ron McIntire shops for fishing tackle during White Elephant's final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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Braxton McNutt, age 6, and Adreonna McNutt look for toys during White Elephant's final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

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A sequestered area of White Elephant's Toyland keeps collectibles off-limits until they can be purchased online at auction, as seen on the final day of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Braxton McNutt, 6, rides Elie the Elephant after shopping for toys during White Elephant's final hours of business on July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed at 4 p.m. Sunday after 74 years of operation.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
An elephant statue on a trailer wears a wrap that reads “Final Days” during White Elephant’s final day of business July 26, 2020. The beloved local surplus store, which sold toys, hunting and fishing supplies closed in July after 74 years of operation.

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