Castleton Family: Serving Utah Since 1890s – From Dry Goods to Department Stores

Castleton’s – From a Front Porch Store to a Valley Fair Fashion Icon

The Castleton name in Utah retail reaches back to the 1800s, when English immigrants James and Frances Castleton settled in Salt Lake City. James worked as a gardener for Brigham Young until illness forced him to step back. Frances, no stranger to hard work, set up a small store in front of their L Street home, offering food, dry goods, and notions. With help from their children—especially son Frank—the family business took root.

In the next generation, Wallace C. Castleton carried on the family’s industrious spirit, balancing work at ZCMI with farming in Holladay before taking up sales for the Decker Packer Company. His son, Wallace L., proved to be a natural salesman from a young age, working for Hoover Vacuum, Standard Furniture, and Patrick Dry Goods. In 1925, despite warnings that “no one could make a living in Southern Utah,” Wallace loaded 16 suitcases of samples and built a thriving sales territory. He eventually bought his first store in Cedar City, followed by Lambert Wholesale Notions Company in Salt Lake, and later opened a store in Foothill Village.

The next chapter began when Wallace’s son, Wallace David Castleton, along with a son-in-law, founded Castleton’s Inc.—a chain of eight mercantile stores across Utah. By the time the Valley Fair Mall opened in 1970, Castleton’s was a respected fashion leader. Their new Valley Fair location became one of the mall’s most stylish anchors, with arched brick-edged windows, wrought-iron gates, and departments ranging from chic junior fashions to a men’s shop centered around a massive fireplace.

From Frances Castleton’s porch-side shop to a premier fashion destination, Castleton’s stood as a testament to four generations of hard work, salesmanship, and a deep understanding of Utah customers.

The building still stands L Street E & 2nd Ave

The Castleton family and their store on the corner of L street.