During the Woolworth chain's heyday, it had many variety-store rivals. One of the biggest was the S.H. Kress Co., which built many stores across from

Woolworth's bigger outlets--including one at Third and Pike. The building now houses a Sam Goody record store among other tenants. Founder Samuel

Kress amassed a huge collection of medieval and baroque-era religious art, which he donated to several museums (including the Seattle Art Museum). The Kress chain was eventually bought by financier Meshlaum Riklis (husband to singer/actress Pia Zadora), who shut down the stores so he could make more money from the real estate.