Cleo's Apparel

Cleo’s Apparel (4824 Rainier Ave S), a beloved women’s clothing store in Columbia City for 36 years, is remembered fondly by the community it served. Founded by Cleo Lott in 1955 and operated by Gerry Johnson since 1963, Cleo’s became a landmark business known for friendly service, quality merchandise, and reasonable prices. Sadly, Cleo's closed in 1991 after a rent increase made it unsustainable to keep the business going, despite Johnson’s daughter and granddaughters’ eagerness to continue the family legacy.

For those who shopped there for generations, it felt like saying goodbye to an old friend. A key fixture in Columbia City’s retail landscape, Cleo’s closure reflected broader challenges facing local businesses at the time.

We are grateful to Jill Shaw and her sisters for donating Cleo’s clock and family photos, preserving this vital piece of Rainier Valley’s history for future generations.

Cleo's - Gerry Johnson, Yvonne Hill, Queen

Cleo's - Jill Evenson & Jen Johnson

Cleo's - Yvonne Hill & Queen Patricia

Cleo's Gang - Janice Lockwood, Phyllis Evenson, Penny Lockwood, Jen & Gerry Johnson, Noella Estes, Y

Cleo's Closing - Nancy Rosella, Harshbarger

Cleo's Apparel and Lil' Cleo's

Jessica & Jared Birch

Lil Cleo's

Cleo's Clock