CASPER, WY – In 1974, the top song of the year was Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were.” The top TV show was CBS' “All in the Family,'' and the top movie was Mel Brooks' “Blazing Saddles.'' General Motors is America's largest company, and the 55 mph speed limit was instituted in response to the fuel crisis.
This was also the year that a local entrepreneur named Dawn Stevenson took ownership of the Mode O' Day clothing store franchise in downtown Casper. At the time, Casper's store was one of 840 franchised stores nationwide. In a 2019 interview with Oil City News, Stevenson said the company eventually rebranded to Fashion Crossroads as trends changed, but went bankrupt in the 1990s. Stevenson purchased the brand and continued to operate the store.
“Casper didn't even know what happened,” she said. The store has weathered the changing downtown retail landscape since Eastridge Mall opened in 1982, along with Casper's devastating economic setback and eventual recovery. Now, the mall has declined, but downtown has slowly evolved as a center for retail, restaurants, and entertainment.
Fashion Crossroads is currently owned by Stevenson's daughter, Kaylene Stevenson Braxton, and her husband, according to its website.
Over the years, Fashion Crossroads expanded in its original building at 228 E. Second Street, and the FC Outlet Bargain Store opened, again next to the original Tribune building. In 2019, we launched an online store.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary in Casper, the store will hold a three-day celebration from Thursday, May 2nd to Saturday, May 4th. According to the event page, the event will include numerous sales and giveaways.
Kaileen told Oil City News in 2019 that she believes retail remains essential to urban centers and that innovative businesses can survive in an online retail environment.
“Everything I'm hearing is that this next generation is really craving and drawn to the more personalized experience that you get in brick-and-mortar stores,” Kaileen said.
“I think there’s always room downtown,” Dorn said. “Your downtown is the heart of your city.”
Fashion Crossroads and its bargain store FC Outlet are located at 228 East Second Street in downtown Casper. Their website can be found here. Click here for more information on the 50th anniversary event.
