Public Market Opened in 1928 featuring Free Parking

You might have seen this image of an old-time bike and a somewhat less old car in front of Busick's Super Market.

Busick Market in 1940, looking east on Marion St.
Salem Libary Historic Photos

The Library captions it:

Taking part in the Salem centennial parade on August 2, 1940, were older modes of transportation. Posing in front of Busick's Super Market on North Commercial Street, is a man standing between his bicycle and automobile. Newer models of cars line the west side of North Commercial, while the view looks south down Commercial Street.

I'm pretty sure the streets in the caption are a little wrong, and that this is looking east-ish down Marion Street from near the intersection of Marion and Commercial. The gable on the far end of the market building, across the gap formed by the alley and directly behind the man's hat, is in fact still visible today on the north end of the TJ Maxx building.

Approximately the same view, one building remains

For at least two reasons, this lost market building is of particular interest. It may be the first "public market" or indoor mall kind of shopping center here in Salem, and it may also be the first downtown business structured from the start with "free parking" as a central feature in site selection and then advertising. (I am not 100% positive yet about these claims, so they must remain a little tentative for the moment. Since Otto J. Wilson's garage was just one block south, it's also a tantalizing idea that he, his bike, and his car might be featured in it. But there are many others who might be in the picture also. The news about the Centennial focuses on other people and other things.)

July 2nd, 1927

From the piece:

The new building, which will be known as the Marion Market, will be constructed somewhat on the plan of the Palace Market at San Francisco...Two main entrances, one on Marion and one on Commercial street will open onto 20-foot aisles running the full length of the building both ways, with business locations opening onto the aisles instead of the street....

The reason for building at a location somewhat out from the present business district...is that there are no parking restrictions in that neighborhood, and plenty of parking space is available....

It opened in February of 1928.

February 8th, 1928

"Free parking" was a central feature.

February 17th, 1928

April 4th, 1928

It do not think this refers yet to dedicated off-street parking, and think it means instead the extent of "free" curbside parking on the street. Meters haven't arrived, so the meaning of free as distinct from fee-for-hourly parking is not yet there also. I think it means something more general about free from encumbrance, regulation, and hassle.

But clearly they think it is a differentiator and a convenience, and it is a moment in the development of our modern mania for free parking.