Los Alamos History

Shopping in Los Alamos

On Facebook we went #InsideTheArchives to explore some of the history of Los Alamos retail. Click through to explore historic photos and artifacts from businesses and shopping in the past.

George Hillhouse and Mr. and Mrs. Martin in the Los Alamos Pastry Shop, sometime between 1947–1957. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.

We have wonderful local businesses! What local businesses do you remember? If you grew up here, are there stores that you remember going to as a child? Can you name multiple businesses that have operated out of the same building over the years?

Mrs. Tucker, the owner of the Los Alamos Beauty Shop, gives a haircut to Mrs. Kilch in December 1947. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
The shopping center in White Rock in June 1950. Nottrot Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Coupons for local businesses from a Los Alamos reunion, circa 1990s. Gift of Bill and Margaret Caldes. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
The grand opening of May’s Music Store in the Los Alamos Community Center, sometime in the 1940s. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
The Pastry Shop between 1947–1957. Photo donated by Frances Stearns. Stearns Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
The Pastry Shop between 1947–1957. Photo donated by Frances Stearns. Stearns Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Gift of Bill and Margaret Caldes. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
Pat Starkey inside the Hitching Post, a western wear shop in the Village Shopping Center in White Rock, in the 1970s. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
John Hoody (credit manager), Carl Sherr, and Sam Mozer (owner) inside Mozer Jewelry in the new Community Center in December 1947. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
This aerial photo, taken around 1984, shows the White Rock Shopping Center with State Road 4 at the bottom of the frame. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
This metal ruler was distributed to promote Draggon Drugs, probably between 1955 and 1965. Gift of Tinka Gammel. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
A promotional photo, taken in December 1947, of the Los Alamos Clothing Store. Zia Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Tiano’s Sporting Goods in its original location around 1947. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
This is a menu from El Tepeyac, a 1950s Los Alamos restaurant. Gift of Lorina Justus. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
This is a menu from El Tepeyac, a 1950s Los Alamos restaurant. Gift of Lorina Justus. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
Entrance to the Safeway grocery store in the early 1950s. Zia Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Inside the Safeway grocery store in the Los Alamos Community Center in the 1950s. Zia Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
This 1993 coupon advertises The Hill Diner, at 1315 Trinity Drive. Gift of Bill and Margaret Caldes. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
The Mesa Market in North Community, sometime between 1947–1957. Zia Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Inside the Batrite Supermarket in the Western Area around 1950. Zia Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
This is a business card from Shalako Shop from around the late 1950s. Gift of Norris Bradbury. Bradbury Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
Outside of Tiano’s Sporting Goods in the Community Center in 1962. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Outside of the ABC Liquor Store in the Community Center around 1962. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
This combination shoehorn and shoe buffer advertises for Hall’s Shoe Store in the Community Center. Circa 1950s. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
This glass ashtray advertises for Speer’s Department Store, the first department store in Los Alamos. Gift of William L. Briscoe. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
Outside of the TG&Y dime store on Central Avenue around 1962. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Outside of Foodway, Wackers, and the White Rock Pharmacy in the 1970s. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
This small box from the 1940s or 1950s is from Spitz Jewelers in Santa Fe, where some Los Alamos residents shopped. Gift of Renee Burke. Los Alamos Historical Society Archives and Collections.
Outside of Gibson’s department store in White Rock in the 1980s. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.
Outside of Thunderbird Shoes, the Clothes Rack, Hayes Jewelers, and Los Alamos Drugs in the Community Center in the 1970s. Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archive.

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