New Endowment Honors John R. Conley

New Endowment Honors John R. Conley, Founder of White Elephant Stores

John R. Conley and Mary E. Conley met at a Catholic Sodality event 70 years ago. Their long life together was blessed with deep faith as they welcomed 11 children and almost 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Mary and her children often pray in deep thanksgiving for the gift of their husband and father, as they recall with joy ever so many stories of their dad and the treasured White Elephant stores that became his legacy. When asked about the origin of the name “White Elephant,” John typically responded, “It simply fit.” Yet, he wasn’t the first one to use the name. In the late 1800s, Wyatt Earp owned the “White Elephant Saloon,” a short-lived enterprise that barely made ends meet. The large white elephant in front of the Division Street store came from a ride at the former Natatorium Park in Spokane.

During most of the last seven decades, Spokane had two White Elephant stores: one on Division and the other on Sprague, right next to Conley’s Restaurant, another Conley venture and currently operated by a Conley son. Both stores changed locations once, and the Sprague site closed briefly until John’s son Ed revived it. Today, both stores are thriving by selling, among a variety of items, discount toys and sporting goods.

In the early days when the two sites were already in full swing, John managed the Sprague store, while Mary took care of Division Street’s daily operations. One day, Mary needed John’s assistance, so John left the Sprague site open, but unmanned, while he drove to help Mary.

When he returned, a customer had been trying on several pairs of boots all lined up in an aisle. He greeted John with, “I’m glad you’re back. I have questions about these boots.”

When John opened his stores, the Second World War was just ending, so much of his merchandise was military surplus items. Inventory soon included fishing tackle and related sporting gear; today, it is a popular toy destination for children.

John gambled in 1974 in his purchase of more than 200,000 leftover souvenirs from the EXPO World’s Fair. That turned out to be a brilliant business decision, and some of those items remain in the stores today.

There’s a good chance that a Conley family member will be serving in some capacity should you visit either White Elephant, or if you enjoy a wonderful meal at Conley’s Restaurant. (Mary notes that the quiche and pies are unmatched).

Through the John R. Conley Endowment (proceeds benefit seminarian training), John Conley’s spirit will forever be alive among us. We welcome tax-deductible gifts to the John R. Conley Endowment. Gifts of any size are important. Please make checks payable to the Catholic Foundation and send to Sister Mary Tracy at P.O. Box 1484, Spokane, WA 99210-1484.