November 4, 2013
Variety stores were treat to the senses

Slayton has a brand new store and its shelves are filled with all manner of goods.  It’s truly exciting to have this addition to our town’s retail armada. I just love variety stores.  There’s nothing quite like our beloved Hometown Variety, Loopy’s, and now the brand new Family Dollar store.

               

Wandering through the maze of aisles in any one of these stores brings to mind two of the favorites from my hometown: Woolworth’s and Ben Franklin’s.  When I was a youngster, stepping through their doors was always an exciting experience for me.

The Woolworth “dime store” was amazing – a true one-stop shopping store.  There you could find clothing, hardwares, household items, gift items, record albums, office supplies, yard goods, and so much more. 

Of course one of my favorite spots was the Brach’s candy counter-a veritable sweet tooth fantasy, that was located strategically in the front of the store.   There shoppers could purchase chocolates by the pound – filling a bag from the bulk varieties.  

Mmmm, I can still smell the delightful confections tickling my nose.

Woolworth’s even had a soda fountain and café with booths, counter and barstools.  On the counters bubbled tanks filled with delicious soda varities.  Waitresses bustled to and fro refilling coffee cups and waiting on diners.  A treat for me and my siblings was to drop in while Dad was coffee breaking with his work buddies. 

It was there that I had my very first experience sipping soda through a straw.  Granted I was but a toddler, but I recall sidling up to my orange soda and instead of sucking in on the straw, I blew on it and sprayed orange drink all over.  Other times we’d enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate that was topped off with a generous spurt of real whipped cream.  Nothing quite as tasty in my opinion!

But perhaps the best thing about the store was located in the far back corner.  That's where I could most often be found when it was time to leave.  It was the fish and pet department.  There I’d be hang out for as long as I was allowed, chatting with the delightful mina bird and mesmerized by the vast varieties of tropical fish in the huge tanks. 

Fascinating indeed. 

Down the street a ways was the aged Ben Franklin store.  I can still hear the creaking old wooden floors in that wonderful store. The aisles were close together in the dimly lit store but one knew where everything was located and you could find what you wanted without fail.  Not, I might add, like the super stores of today where one can wander aimlessly and often in vain to locate something.

Being the creative soul that I was, it was where I always shopped for yarn and other crafting supplies.  The Ben Franklin store stocked Red Heart yarns and embroidery thread of every hue imaginable and it was truly a magical feast for my eyes.

Sights, sounds, smells, tastes – to this day my senses recall them all so very vividly. Indeed I will never forget any one of them.

Those stores of my youth are so dear to my heart.  Perhaps that is why I delight that there are still such shopping experiences available right here in our town.  If you haven’t tried shopping them I suggest you do so.  Perhaps you too will fall in love with them. 

I, for one, am sold on the old fashioned variety store.  As we enter the gift giving season, why not give them a try and you may be as well!