The White Elephant Stores

Expo '74 mementos touch the hearts of young, old alike I first heard of John Conley while working as an intern at KHQ-TV back in the 1980s. Fondly referred to as, “that guy who bought all of the Expo stuff,” by co-workers, I later learned Conley had purchased all 280,000 pieces of leftover Expo ‘ 74 merchandise after the event ended. The items fue...

Where are all those souvenirs now? Many thanks to Chey Scott and Young Kwak of the Inlander for a fun afternoon remembering expo '74.

Many Expo '74 souvenirs are still easy to find; collectors have White Elephant founder John Conley Sr. to thank for that For happening in the smallest city to ever host a world's fair, Spokane's Expo '74 sure had a lot of commemorative stuff. Lapel pins, postcards,...

It feels a touch of providence that May 4th marks both the 50th anniversary of the launch of Expo 74 and the birthday of our founder and patriarch John R.Conley Sr. John would be 97 this year and he would most certainly be reminiscing and enjoying the Expo celebrations in downtown Spokane. We continue to thank God for our history and the rich legacy of this community.

The continued story of all those Expo souvenirs is in the May 2nd edition of the Inlander.
https://www.inlander.com/culture/many-expo-74-souvenirs-are-still-easy-to-find-collectors-have-white-elephant-founder-john-conley-sr-to-thank-for-that-27885662

Beannacht Dé oraibh - God's blessing on all of you this St. Patricks Day!🍀

Saturday was a lovely day for a parade, gatherings of family and friends, perfect pints and fare at Shawn O'Donnell's American Grill and Irish Pub, and the moving and joyous sound of the Spokane County Firefighters Pipes and Drums. Many thanks to the The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Sláinte Spokane!

Excitement building for the upcoming celebrations!

January Expo Newsletter January Expo Newsletter

We bid farewell to George Buckley - friend, colleague, postman, and fishing tackle-man extraordinaire.
May the angels lead you forth into paradise as you are reunited with your beloved Kay and dear ones who have gone before.
A Hui Hou - until we meet again - Aloha George.

Penelope was accompanied by two students from St Charles and All Saints Catholic Schools as she was delivered and prepared for her role in spreading joy at the Christmas Bureau Spokane. The students recieved a tour of the facility and witnessed the devotion of the coordinators and volunteers in serving our community.

We are honored to be a part of this important event.

The Christmas Bureau toy distribution starts today December 7th and runs through the 14th.
Hours:
Dec. 7, 8, & 9: 10am-2pm
Dec. 11: 4pm-8pm
Dec. 12: 10am-2pm
Dec. 13: 4pm-8pm
Dec. 14: 10am-2pm
(Closed on Sunday, Dec. 10)

Visit the website for more information: https://www.christmasbureauspokane.org

The sale of White Elephant memorabilia this Advent season will benefit the Christmas Bureau Spokane and their work supporting families in our community.

Visit our online store for stocking stuffers made easy! www.whiteelephantstores.com

and shop these local small businesses for memorabilia and nostalgic gifts galore!
🎄Looff Carrousel Gift Shop
🎄Over The Moon Relics
🎄Vintage Print + Neon

Come out to the Garland Business District Saturday, December 2nd and support local small businesses this Christmas season. You may even get to catch a ride on an elephant.

Gear up for the Holidays and get those stocking stuffers ready early!
Hats, patches and stickers are available downtown in the Looff Carrousel Gift shop and the Garland district at Over The Moon Relics.

Praying today for peace in the hearts of all veterans, this nation, and the regions in which they served.

pictured: John R. Conley Sr. circa 1944

The landscape of 1730 N Division has certainly changed over the years yet the legacy of good works and community continues.

In 1947, our founder John R. Conley, his bride-to-be Mary, and their dear friends went to Stone's grocery for a post prom meal of white bread and bologna. That address would soon become the bread and butter of his life's work.

Now you can have a meal at the new Panda Express this Friday, September 29th and 50% of sales will be donated to St Aloysius church which has been a source of faith and vitality to so many throughout the Logan Gonzaga neighborhood.

Show the flyer pictured in the comments or order online at PandaExpress.com with code 359954

Penelope spent the day doing God's work with some of Spokane's finest.

We still have a few treasures 😏. Can not wait for the celebrations.

Plans underway to celebrate 50th anniversary of Expo '74 SPOKANE, Wash - City planners and tourism organizations are making plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Spokane's iconic Expo '74.

We are reviving a tradition from bygone days! Our founder's father was a rockhound who collected agates and made them into Black Hills gold mounted jewelry. James R. Conley's shop, Conley Co. Jewelry, opened first in Missoula, Montana and then here in Spokane at 715 W Riverside, then finally in Boise, Idaho from the early 40s through the mid 50s. James R. traveled the countryside to shows - even earned a ribbon or two at Spokane's own Rock Rollers Gem, Mineral and Jewelry show!
We are privileged to preserve and display this especially unique and beautiful collection of gems paired with an artist rendering of the image contained within. Come visit us and our display in honor of John R. Conley and his father James R. Conley this weekend.

It's a lovely day for a parade! God Love ya Spokane 🍀

We have said goodbye to dear friends, family and loyal employees over the last few months. Joe Kaley, Jim Burris, Carol Young and today the funeral Mass will be celebrated for Robert Kennedy. We offer prayers to all who knew them, most especially their families.
May the Holy angels lead you forth into Paradise.

The Christmas Bureau is coming up short; donations for 2022 holiday drive still being accepted Christmas Day has arrived. The toys and books provided by the Christmas Bureau have been unwrapped, providing Christmas cheer to those struggling to make ends meet. But the work isn’t done.

New Christmas Bureau coordinator stepped up to help and found her dream job in the process When the Christmas Bureau’s longtime coordinator took a new job this summer, it left a vital position vacant. But not for long.

Sunday is a day of rest for these merry Elves. They will be back in the workshop Monday for the final 4 days of this years Christmas Bureau.
Our thanks to the organizers and volunteers, particularly Heidi Meany, for welcoming Penelope into this beautiful tradition of Christmas joy and giving.

It is wonderful to see this Santa reunited with the Crescent window displays and gracing the Davenport Grand!
The White Elephant has more than one connection with the Davenport Hotels - the real Santa that was on hand for the unveiling this season shares our lineage 😉 and our founder and patriarch, John R. Conley, was once a bellhop at the Historic Davenport charged with stoking the lobby fire and delivering the morning paper to Mr. Louis Davenport.
Thank you Davenport Grand for the acknowledgment of the Conley clan and taking care of Santa.
God love ya Spokane.

The sale of White Elephant memorabilia this Advent season will benefit the Christmas Bureau and their work supporting families in our community.

Visit these local artists and small businesses to find White Elephant hats and stickers!
🎄Corinna Ren at The PNW Dream in Riverpark Square
🎄Lisa Shortell at Paint in my Hair on Monroe
🎄Atticus Coffee and Gifts downtown
🎄Over the Moon Relics on Garland
🎄Looff Carrousel gift shop
🎄and our own online store:
www.ebay.com/str/thewhiteelephantstore

OR donate to the Christmas Bureau directly at www.ChristmasBureauSpokane.org

Last night Penelope was on the move. Today she settled in as preparations were underway to welcome children and spread Christmas cheer.

Support local small businesses this Holiday season where you can find White Elephant hats, stickers and other festive gifts galore!
🎄 Shop the best of Spokane at
The PNW Dream in Riverpark Square
Atticus Coffee & Gifts downtown
and Over The Moon Relics on Garland

Hats, stickers, and a varying assortment of stocking stuffers are rotating through our online store. Follow us on eBay to catch some treasures as we continue to sort through our trove this Holiday season.

The White Elephant Store | eBay Stores The White Elephant store is a family owned sporting goods and toy retailer that became a Spokane landmark. In 1946, after returning from his service in WWII, our founder began selling war surplus. The inventory began to build based on the passions of fishing, outdoor recreation, and finding the best...

If you are downtown enjoying a beautiful fall day, stop into the Looff Carrousel to visit Isidore. White Elephant hats are available in the carrousel gift shop.
Hats and a varying assortment of toys and sporting goods are also rotating through our eBay store. Follow us on eBay to catch some small treasures as we continue to sort through our trove.

The White Elephant Store | eBay Stores The White Elephant store is a family owned sporting goods and toy retailer that became a Spokane landmark. In 1946, after returning from his service in WWII, our founder began selling war surplus. The inventory began to build based on the passions of fishing, outdoor recreation, and finding the best...

That was too fun! Slainte and God love ya Spokane! ☘️

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter! And Isidore is getting closer to her permanent home. 

🐘 Isidore the elephant has been successfully transported from the Numerica Skate Ribbon back to the Looff Carrousel. Isidore will permanently live in the Looff Carrousel building for all to enjoy!

We are all celebrating the Christmas season a little differently this year. For the White Elephant, we are honored to be hosting Toys for Tots in our valley location and heartened to officially return the Crescent Santa Claus we enjoyed for 32 years back to a permanent home downtown. Many thanks to the Downtown Spokane Partnership and Davenport Hotels for ensuring the safe keeping of city treasures. We hope you all are enjoying Christmas time in this great city!
Downtown Spokane The Davenport Grand