In 1890, D. E. Frederick arrived in Seattle and, joined soon after by Nels Nelson, started what would become one of the Northwest's best-loved and well-regarded stores. For more than 100 years, Frederick & Nelson was much more than just a department store to the people of Seattle it was an icon. F&N, as locals referred to it, established the city's retail core, led the war-bond drive, acted as a civic booster, and pioneered a high level of benefits for its workers. But it was the customer experience that made all the difference at F&N. Whether it was a fashion show in the Tea Room, a visit to Santa, or the taste of a Frango, the memories of Frederick & Nelson still resonate today throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Ann Wendell is a native of Seattle and was born and raised in the Ravenna neighborhood. Her family moved to the neighborhood in 1947 and she is raising her family, the third generation of Ravenna residents, in her childhood family home. Her father worked at Frederick & Nelson for over 35 years and she considered Frederick & Nelson her second home.
Ann obtained her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. She is an independent consultant providing informational research for businesses and individuals to support marketing, business development, and recruiting. You can visit her business website at www.greenlightbusiness.com. When not doing historical research, Ann finds time to attend her children's endless sporting events, watch way too many movies with her husband, support her bookstore habit, and write the archetypal Seattle novel.
