The Woolworth’s store at 3rd & Pike in downtown Seattle in 1986. Photo by Steve Morgan, Portland.

On February 22, 1879, Frank Winfield Woolworth opens his first store the Woolworth’s Great Five Cent Store in Utica, NY. Largely credited as being the first five and dime store, Woolworth offered discounted product at a fixed price. While the store got off to a successful start, Frank closed the doors of his first store in May, 1878.  He would try again.