Monday, August 03, 2015

FIVE AND DIME STORES OF YESTERYEAR

If there is anyone reading this who remembers “Five and Dime stores” please raise your hand.  That’s what I thought; not too many.  Don’t feel bad, the old Five and Dime stores (or variety stores as some refer to them) have basically disappeared from the American landscape but in their days of popularity during most of the 1900’s they were very popular outlets for household goods and other “notions.” Many also had booming lunch counters where one could purchase a nice meal for a reasonable price.

One of the most popular of these stores was Newberry’s.  It was founded in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania by J. J. Newberry in the early 1900’s and by 1919 consisted of 17 stores.  If you wanted anything from bed sheets to goldfish, small appliances, to spools of thread or a pair of blue jeans, Newberry’s was the place for you.

Typical small town Newberry store.

By 1965, Newberry’s had 565 stores across the country doing yearly sales of $291 million.  By 1972, they still had 439 units as they were sold to McCrory Stores.

With changing times bankruptcy was declared in 1992 and 300 stores were closed by 1997.  As late as 2001, the last store was closed in Portland, Oregon.  Other Five and Dime stores like Kresge’s and Woolworth’s were similar to Newberry’s but they also faded with the changing times.  Those companies went on to survive with large discount department stores and food centers carrying the names Woolco and K-Mart.

It was easy to spot a Newberry’s store during their boom times.  The signs usually were the width of the store and contained a red background with gold lettering.  As a kid growing up in Cincinnati during the 1940’s and 1950’s I spent a lot of time in those stores.  My mother bought lots of dry goods from them and occasionally I would get toys, yoyos, or maybe a turtle or a goldfish if I behaved myself! (Some of above acquired courtesy of “Wikipedia”.)

The Newberry's store in downtown Phoenix (c.1955)















Lunch counter at Newberry's c.1950's. Sliced ham sandwich 10 cents?



74 comments:

Jim McAllister said...

Five and Dime stores were fun places for kids. Where else could you buy a goldfish in a plastic bag to take home or buy a turtle with an American flag decal on its back?

Jim McAllister said...

A ham sandwich and a chocolate malt for 25 cents? Such a deal!

ed said...

Now the five and dime has turned into the Dollar store only it is all China junk

Jim McAllister said...

Hi Ed,

That's for sure. I miss the old 5 and dimes; fun places for kids.

Glo, Ex-Newberry Employee said...


Hi Jim!

I had a personal connection with me J.J.Newberry: I worked there as a salesgirl during my senior year in high school, part-time, of course. Remember: this was 1970-71, and dime and department stores were only open Mon-Sat (NO OPEN STORES ON SUNDAY – THE BLUE LAWS!!). Except for Thursday, they were open to 6 PM – until 9 PM on Thursdays. So I worked 6-9 on Thursday and 9-6 on Saturday (one hour lunch) for a minimum wage of $1.60 per hour. I made $17.60 a week before taxes. I traveled from home a couple miles away by bus, 25 cents, and safe and clean). Occasionally I walked home on a nice evening. No one bothered you.

As a financial aside, one week I got a nickel an hour more in my paycheck and I was ecstatic that I had performed well enough to get a raise! Of course, the next week I was docked the nickel per hour from my paycheck since they said they had made a clerical error. Yes, the cheap bahstahds sucked back 55 cents, thus keeping the sanctity of their bottom line.

I worked on the cash register in several departments, including jewelry and fabrics. My supervisor was a sexist pig who made inappropriate comments to all of the females. What could you do back then? His subordinate, who outranked the salesgirls, was a lemon-sucking, bitter woman: that experience bolstered my motivation to get a college education and NEVER spend my life with people like that, hoping I’d get a dime raise.

The store had three floors: the basement (mostly silverware, hardware, etc.), the first floor (jewelry, fabrics, and the diner, which had the most dee-lish-shush ice ice ice cold grape drink served in those paper cones), and the second floor, which had mostly household items. There was a small ‘down area’ of a few steps from the first floor which had the photo booth (4 shots for 25 cents), and the (vinyl) record department. I loved that section!

Okay, this is silly, but I was a 17-year-old girl who got crushes on TV stars. In January 1971 the Butch-Cassidy-like TV show Alias Smith & Jones debuted with dreamy Pete Duel and Ben Murphy. I was head over heels with Pete Duel. I’d record the shows on my cassette player since we didn’t have VCRs back in those dinosaur days. Hmm. How did I watch and record AS&J on Thursday nights? Well I had to make a choice: the TV show or 3 hours of Thursday night work at Newberry’s. A no-brainer. I was devasted on January 1, 1972 when I heard that handsome, talented Pete Duel had shot himself to death on New Year’s Eve. You never know what demons people have.

Hartford had lots of dime stores besides Newberry’s: Kresge (where for a while my dad ran the diner – 25 cents in the 40s for a turkey dinner, 10 cents for a piece of pumpkin pie), Grant’s, Jupiter’s, Woolworth’s, and many more. They were wonderful and it’s a sad thing that they are gone forever, along with the pleasure that they brought to kids and adults alike.

Jim McAllister said...

Hi Glo,

As always you write a great comment; good to hear from you. Barb and I ate lunch the other day at the Red Truck in Cave Creek and when we went down Carefree Highway near your home I mentioned to her that I hadn't heard from you for a while. Glad to see all appears to be OK.

Those are fun recollections about your experiences at retail; that $1.60 hr. sure didn't go very far. In the mid 50s I made a whole $1 an hour working in a deli in Cincy. I remember thinking I was doing pretty well making that. I think I cleared about $13 a week.

The old 5 and dimes were great places in the early to mid 1900's but like most things times changed for them as the larger stores began to take over. Some of the small towns hung on for a while but they soon closed up. Sam Walton was originally a dime store guy running a small Ben Franklin store in Newport, Arkansas on the Mississippi River border of Tennessee. He knew how to generate business by seeking out the best prices and we all know what happened when he founded Walmart.

Like you I think of Newberry's, Kresge, Woolworth, etc. when I think of the dime stores. As the country grew and those companies made more money the corner guy was faced with extinction. It's kind of sad as it was the end of a fun era to go into those little stores.

Jim McAllister said...

memories!
My father was an F W Woolworth manager who, at one time, managed the largest (by area) store in Chicago.
3 stories (two of which were retail areas and the top floor was employee lockers and restrooms) and the basement was a huge stockroom.
I worked there as my first "job". My boss, the stockroom manager, was a black man whom I revered.One of the smartest in the business and "no nonsense" approach with everyone and a great guy to work for.
We used to get orders for stock from the Dept. managers, fill big baskets with merchandise and drag those up to the 1st/2nd floor by hauling on a rope ties to the basket and sliding the stuff on a 2 story steel ramp that reached to the stockroom floor. Then we'd drag them uyp & down the aisles and help clerks stock the counters/display areas.
At the day's end we'd scatter "oiled" sawdust up and down the aisles and then broom it up.
I got a lot of experience at a very young age (early 40's) in how the "world" works, including some rather harsh treatment of "shoplifters" when they were apprehended.
There was another 5&10 cent chain not mentioned in this blog. Do you remember the "Ben Franklin" stores?
Larry

Jim McAllister said...

Larry,

Great account of what it was like to work retail in the days before one story stores and modern devices. Probably no air conditioning then either.

Those jobs did, as you say, show employees "how the world works."

I used to call on a couple Ben Franklin stores in Kansas City when I was with Lever Brothers. Sold them a few cases of bar soap and some dish detergent. Sam Walton originally had a Ben Franklin store in Newport, Arkansas. That was the beginning of what would become Walmart.

Joe Finnerty said...

The S. H. Kress stores should be included in the list of famous, now defunct, five-and-dime emporiums. In 1941, one of their store recruiters visited Brooklyn Girl’s High School and hired my future wife to work in their Manhattan store located around the corner from the NYC public library. She had met their stringent new employee requirements: Sixteen or older with a “B” average. Such stores provided many teens with their first job.

While vacationing down the Jersey Shore in 1943, one of my three high school pals discovered he had forgotten to bring along his swim trunks. We helped him steal a pair from the local five-and-dime. They did not fit. He had grabbed the bottom half of a girl’s swim attire. I gave up my life of crime at that point.

Arizona Dave said...

Jim, you hit home with me on the Five & Dimers....I called on many of them during my work years and remember them well...

First Woolworth in Manhattan....took a subway down town and called on them during their Woolco days too.... good people...

McCrory-McClellan in York, Pa...not for from Hershey Pa....and the home of the chocolate candy boys....and a great golf club called Hershey Country Club, the best.

Then T G & Y in Oklahoma City...three men started it, that would be Tomlinson, Gosselin, & Young.

How about Kresge which became K Mart, the biggest and the best before Wal-Mart got on the scene.


Memories, memories and more memories during the 80s......

Jim McAllister said...

Hi Joe,

Good to hear from you.

S. H. Kress was definitely one of the originals. J. J. Newberry actually worked for them for 12 years (1899-1911) before he opened his own store so they were pioneers in the variety store business.

Funny story about the swim trunks. It's a amazing the things we did as kids. It just wasn't in the cards I guess for you to be a crook.

Jim McAllister said...

Dave,

Those are all great names in retailing. I called on TG&Y a few times in Kansas City; usually very nice midwest people. I believe they took over a bunch of Katz Drug Stores in the 1970s or else it was the other way around. We lived near the one in Shawnee, Kansas and still use some dishes we bought there in the '70s.

A lot of retailers like them disappeared when Walmart started growing. Tough to compete with them.

Anonymous said...

Jim...

Do you remember the Neisner's 5 & 10 cent Store that used to be located on Montgomery Rd in Norwood, Ohio?....When I was a kid my Mom, sister and I would go "bottle hunting", then redeem them for the deposits.....then go spend all our new found fortune at Neisner's...lol

Mike Slater said...

Jim, there used to be a Newberry's store at Park Central back in the 60's. My grandmother would shop there every Wednesday. During the summer she would take me with her and buy lunch at the cafeteria. Id always get the sliced turkey and stuffing with gravy. It was so good.

Jim McAllister said...

NK,

I think I remember Neisner's. I used to spend some time in Norwood as a kid. The returnable bottles sure bring back memories. Pop bottles were worth 2 cents and a quart milk bottle was a penny. They were a good way for kids to get a little dough to buy cheap candy. I remember when I worked at a local deli in Cincy during college how little kids would bring in empties for penny candy. Some were really nasty full of dirt, spiders, etc. and I them to wash them out before bringing them in. Early lesson in life for them. No returnables anymore but kids are inventive; I'm sure they find a way around it.

Jim McAllister said...

Mike,

Yeah, the food was pretty good at those places and as a kid it was fun to eat out. I loved cafeterias and Barb and I ate at them until they have mostly gone defunct. No more Furr's or Luby's these day.

The old movies can still give us a glimpse of those old times. One of my fave films is "Double Indemnity" with Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. In One scene Fred mentions that he is going down to the drugstore to get a bite to eat.

Mike Slater said...

Jim, my parents had 3 boys and the only place they would take us to eat was an all you can eat cafeteria. It was the only way to feed us without spending a lot of money.

We have a son like that. When he was a teenager he went to a local all you can eat rib place. After he's 7th plate the waiter asked him if he was enjoying it. For some reason not long after that they went out of business. He's 34 now and still eats like that. Glad I'm not paying for it.

Jim McAllister said...

Mike,

That's funny. When was a kid there weren't many all you can eat places. I don't know how those places stay in business after going through 4 years in the USAF and watching those chow hounds. I knew guys who could really put it away and most of them weren't even fat. That's what the good old military life does for a guy!

Unknown said...

The doc appointment was weird. Very agreeable and positive. Whatever.

I don't really have experience in Newberry's that I remember, so I'll make something up. I'm figuring that I probably went to the Western Auto store and bought ammunition to do some hunting, because back in the day, kids carried guns. Now kids have to hunt with their parents. But probably about lunch time, we hunters would go for a sandwich and use a payphone to call home to say we were still alive. Back then, both farmers and hunters tracked mud across the creaky wood floor to the dining area where the local news would be shared verbally. Now they're texted. Most likely all us boys had hunting knives on our belts. These days, kids get tasered for a knife.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

I used to love Western Auto as a kid in the 1950's of Cincinnati. Their stores had that great smell of paint and rubber and they always had a nice display of Western Auto bicycles. I think they were called "Western Flyers."

I remember pay phones well. I always carried a pocket full of dimes when I made sales calls in the Kansas City area in the late 60s. If I was lucky I could find a drive up phone so I didn't have to freeze my butt off in winter.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick Kepple said...

I saw my regular doc this morning. She didn't seem to feel that there was anything to worry about. She seemed unusually nice.

I heard on the radio that the debate is tonight. Who will come out as the master debater? I'm sitting on the edge of my seat ... I fell off ..

Unknown said...

Donald Trump acts like he doesn't actually have evidence that Mexico's government is encouraging illegal immigration.

Mexico's president is encouraging illegal immigration. Says right here in a speech in California given by that leader.

“There are still states that have not evolved so much as California, that still skimp on recognition and, even worse, the rights of immigrants,” the Los Angeles Times quoted him as saying. “Those who still believe and bet for the exclusion and discrimination or the rejection of diversity ... I only have one thing to say: the future, and a very near future, will demonstrate your ethical mistake. Time will show we’re right.”
http://www.ibtimes.com/illegal-immigration-mexico-president-calls-justice-immigrants-during-california-trip-1669464

Unknown said...

It took me a while to dig through the Google heap to find this old story about Mexico releasing foreign terrorists from prison and they crossed over into the United States.

http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003363.html

It's like a fluffy kind of genocide against the American worker where they get every program they need to just survive in case they are needed someday. Shelved. Like Americans are scrapped in a human junkyard while the cheap foreign models replace the wage guzzlers. Billionaires happily steer their Yugo laborers reaping huge profits, but at what cost?

Unknown said...

I bought a $12 Chinese knife today with D-Day on it, celebrating the 70th anniversary on it. I've been looking for a kitchen knife and that cheap hunting knife will do. There's no five and dime store nearby but there are a couple of country stores and flea markets. Oh and the Historic Route 66 bridge is out and won't be replaced near Lebanon, Mo. So to get to those stores, you have to take the Interstate and go around.

Unknown said...

Donald Trump on guns and marijuana. Donald Trump admits to carrying a concealed weapon and so does the journalist in the film clip. Trump wants to address the issue of concealed carry because of the rise in crime.

On marijuana: medical marijuana is necessary, Trump said. I agree. The research shows it's good for many cancers, nausea, can reduce the severity of a stroke if smoked within six hours, I read. Extreme side effects may include starting a band.

Since Trump is pro Second Amendment and pro weed, he's going to win it.

Unknown said...

Oops. I forgot the video clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdneXCEkIdQ

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

Rick,

Too bad about the Route 66 bridge. I guess it means that they have no great desire to maintain that great historical road. The first time I drove it was in 1959 when a buddy of mine and I drove to Los Angeles from Cincinnati in a '57 Chevy 6 banger. We picked up 66 in St. Louis and drove it all the way to the Pacific. No 4 lanes then but the Diamonds restaurant and many other forgotten places were still there.

"You go through St. Louie, Joplin, Missouri, Oklahoma City is mighty pretty. You see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico. Flagstaff, Arizona, don't forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.

Damn, I still know that great song from Bobby Troup!

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

I watched the clip and I agree with Trump. I'm glad we don't need permits in AZ. I never leave the house without my 38. It's a hell of a way to have to live but I want to be as ready as I can be if the time comes.

I shot expert on the range in Air Force basic. Do you think that would intimidate anyone? LOL

It's a hell of a world. I keep pinching myself but I don't seem to be waking up from a bad dream.

Jim McAllister said...

I think Trump held his own last night. I was disappointed in Megan Kelly trying to take him down. She made a big mistake. The guy has balls and doesn't take any sh-t from anyone as illustrated with his comment about Rosie O'Donnell. He says the things voters who are disgusted with Obama want to hear.

Will he get the Republican nomination? One never knows but right now after the debates he is more than holding his own and unless he makes a mistake he should get better. I only hope that if he doesn't get the nomination that he doesn't run as an independent. It would split the votes and result in certain defeat

Unknown said...

Trump lives in the real world and those fake politicians are outmatched by reality.

What band should play at the White House? Ms Clinton thought choosing FM in 93 would help SN and I to be friends again, but it was crap! How about a band that is symbolic of the GOP and the Dems? The Pretty Reckless or Five Finger Death Punch?

The SN of our time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHBxJCq99jA

Unknown said...

Trump is proving that chivalry is dead and let's face it, the ladies use it as a weapon. They want fluffy equality. Most successful women would step over the carcass of the unlucky idiot who gave his life for her.

I'm just wondering who in the Republican Party got Megan Kelly to ask that first question about which candidate would run independently if the GOP didn't choose him. Likely Kelly is buying a new pair of shoes as a reward. If Kelly is a real journalist, then she can shave her head and viewers will only care about her brilliant stories and not the appearance of a supermodel pretending to be a lady.

I'm fed up with women playing their stupid games too. I don't blame Trump a bit.

Jim McAllister said...

How about the 5 man Electrical Band doing "Signs." (1971)

"And the sign said anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight....."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYsBDmqJfjQ

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

I agree on Kelly. I used to give her credit for advancing up the ladder at Fox but she blew it the other night. She is just another talking head; and an airhead at that. I wish they would can her ass. She sets women in the news back.

Mike Slater said...

Jim, I quit watching Kelly a long time ago. She's a lawyer and asks gotcha questions. I don't have mush use for Chris Wallace either. I stopped watching the Five because it went from news to fluff pieces. It's turned into the View.

Unknown said...

The Fox News executives are at fault and I read that Rupert Murdoch is demanding an apology from Trump.

Nobody listens to those songs anymore, Jimmy. Nice deflection though.

Jim McAllister said...

Mike,

I haven't watched the 5 in a while but if it has gone soft It's probably because they got rid of that super liberal Bob Beckel a while back. It used to be a good show as he would argue with them.

Kelly is an idiot; I'm through with her. It's looks like Carly Fiorina is getting a lot of kudos now. From what I've seen she is pretty sharp and a far cry from hag Hillary. She may make the top 10 in the next round.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

I hope they aren't holding their breath at Fox waiting for an apology from Trump. I don't think he knows the definition of the word. I'm glad he is the way he is. He says exactly what is on his mind regardless of any trouble he may cause. He is a brassy bastard and is a nice variance from what we are used to with the real politicians. It will be interesting as I think a lot of people appreciate his boldness.

Unknown said...

Megyn Kelly is a lawyer? No wonder Trump is going up in the polls!

Unknown said...

I shared your blog on Donald J. Trump's personal page on Facebook, Jimmy. I said that Donald Trump sounds like my friend, Jim McAllister, from Scottsdale and of course, I shared the link. You and Trump can talk golf too, Jimmy. He owns a bunch of golf courses. Gift for ya Jimmy.

Jim McAllister said...

Yeah, she is a lawyer. She has three kids named Yates, Yardley, and Thatcher. Obviously she must not think much of her kids to hang those handles on them.

Jim McAllister said...

I'll look forward to heard from "The Donald."

Unknown said...

I found SN and FM backing tracks to play guitar with. Practice is a form of exercise for the brain to heal, you see. The early Peter Green FM had slower music and instrumentals. The later Bob Welch stuff. Then there are the more complicated pieces with the early BN era.

In comparison, politics and writing nonfiction is simple. I understand that the GOP is going to be giving Hillary Clinton all the help she needs to win! That female CEO, Carly, has the Republican support according to an official poll. Trump will split the vote as an independent. Clinton wins.

Now if only I could figure out how to manage my own life.

Jim McAllister said...

Yeah, Trump worries me on going Independent. He would have no chance with a split vote and Hillary would win. I wish Fox would fire dumb ass Megyn Kelly. She proved that she is partial; a no-no for a reporter.

Unknown said...

Years ago, I was dismissed from a newspaper reporting job because the VA issued me a cane and it changed the parameters of the reasonable accommodation agreement under ADA rules. Appearance is everything, even in newspapers.

Megyn Kelly discusses how she went from lawyer to bottom rung news reporting at Fox to suddenly getting the job that she has now and she knows it's because of her beauty. She says that it's not illegal to fire a person because their appearance changes. Kelly knows that she wasn't hired for the job because of her journalism skills. The guy who does the hiring and firing apparently watches Fox News with the sound off because he feels that news reporting is about the appearance and not the content. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IML_UGhXz2Q

This is probably the reason the public education system is designed to fail. Kids don't need to be smart. They just need to look like a rock star to succeed ... except in Missouri. Paper bags are still sold here.

Jim McAllister said...

"This is probably the reason the public education system is designed to fail. Kids don't need to be smart. They just need to look like a rock star to succeed ... except in Missouri. Paper bags are still sold here."

Rick, you earn the "quote of the day" award for the above. TV is nothing but a cosmetic business. All we have to do is turn on the set to see it. Looks get ratings and that is what it is about..

I love the comment about paper bags in Missouri; I'm still laughing. When I was stationed at Whiteman there were some cute girls around but definitely some paper bag candidates too.

Unknown said...

Thanks Jimmy for the accolades.

I joined a patriotic group. I interviewed for it last year and they know about the SN thing and I explained what I knew. They accepted me. As far as I know, it's a conservative patriotic group made up of ex-cops, EMT's, military veterans and lots of folks to support their local communities. The 111% United Patriots.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

Sounds like a worthy organization. A nice contrast to those fools in Ferguson. They are nothing but looters, they don't care about Brown.

Unknown said...

It only took me ten bucks to prove that kinfolk of a friend are losers. It took a lot more to pay for the Ferguson protestors. They threw the looters in for free.

http://allenbwest.com/2015/05/paid-ferguson-protestors-now-protesting-over-not-getting-paid/

Allen West said in May that the Ferguson professional protestors get paid five grand a month! At least they have jobs, but now they're chanting war and it is apparently working. http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-ferguson-protesters-chant-were-ready-for-war/

St. Louis County devised an emergency plan in 2013 and they said, "The risk of terrorist use of WMDs is not quantifiable." In fact, they believed that an earthquake would be more likely than riots. Furthermore, the report goes on to prioritize the salvation of government first, property/life second. Page 21, under "Mutual Aid" allows private groups like Oathkeepers to get involved. http://www.stlouisco.com/Portals/8/docs/document%20library/police/oem/beop%20and%20esfs/BEOP%20for%20web.pdf

Unknown said...

Since I can't trust many people, the country's going to hell and obviously I'm not going to ever make it back to work, I'm figuring that me and the dogs and cats might move to Colorado. God will sort it out.

Hey, maybe I can use the light rail, go to a drug store for lunch, find people to play guitar with. Fade away.



Jim McAllister said...

I used to love those drug store lunches. A BLT and a chocolate malt. Ah, memories of better times.

Unknown said...

Doc called this morning and the blood tests are better than normal, and Docs say that I should move to Colorado for my health. Jen says we aren't moving and we're keeping the farm. Both of our homes need winterized. New appliances. Everything.

In our town, the restaurant with the counter closed down. You could order breakfast, coffee and a dozen worms.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

Good news! Glad to hear about the tests. If Colorado would help the health it may be worth looking into.

Bad deal about the local restaurant closing. I hate it wen I can't get my worms along with breakfast!

Unknown said...

Jimmy, this is why I have the SN Rules. And I talked to Jen and I am never ever dating again for the rest of my life. Ever. Not happening. She got pretty angry when we didn't go out a second time. It was almost a problem, but she just got arrested.

https://www.facebook.com/PulaskiCountyDailyNews/posts/10154187656302366:0

August 10, 2015 - Richland, Missouri: A Richland woman was arrested on Monday for having unlawful sex with a male dog.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

You have to be kidding. That reads like one of those April fool's joke column posted on April 1. Was that gal really doing a DOG? The Facebook comments seem to think so.

Unknown said...

I went out with her last year, Jimmy. Jen remembers it, because it was the FIRST date in YEARS! Jen was proud of me. Good job, she said! See, there are nice single women out there, she said. People told me that I needed to stop using SN as a defense against meeting people. I was being paranoid, they said.

If she would have sat down beside you in a diner, you'd have bought her coffee. You know you would have. She's pretty. Normal even. I never felt comfortable with her.

And you thought I was making this stuff up.

Jim McAllister said...

Just when we think we've heard them all, huh Rick? Interesting lady.

Unknown said...

I like Montrose Colorado, Jimmy and I've got to figure out if I can sell off the place and move there. Donald Trump favors Montrose. Today, it is a mecca for musicians and writers. Course, no one's gonna let me move anywhere unless I have all my ducks in a row. And yeah, they got a dispensary there. Now I just have to figure out how to get the money to make that happen. If it's meant to be ...

They have a diner, Jimmy. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilcoxs-Family-Diner/378332335638132 Wilcox Family Diner, Montrose Colorado

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

I was a bit indifferent about such a move until you said Montrose has a diner. That's the clincher! Just be sure the place makes a good meat loaf or a hot roast beef and gravy open face sandwich with mashed potatoes. I'm hungry just thinking about it!

Unknown said...

Smitty's in Waynesville MO has a great diner with a buffet. It's really just Price Cutter, but it's all owned by Albertson's so everyone calls it Smitty's.

Jimmy, you're being sarcastic. You don't like the idea of me moving anywhere do you? I am aware that I may not be making a wise decision. Oh, I think it's meatloaf day at Smitty's. I once dated a waitress there. No dogs.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

No sarcasm intended. I think Colorado would be a nice change. Nice scenery, cooler; what the hell, there are worst places.

Hearing Smitty's name brings back memories of the days I called on them in Springfield. As far as I know, Mr. Smith is still alive and living in the San Antonio area. I interviewed him in 2010 at one of his old stores (which is now a Fry's). He has written a book about his life that is very interesting.. He was a great grocery man and had a lot of success in Iowa and Missouri before he moved to Phoenix. I attended his 95th birthday party a few years ago in Phoenix.

Unknown said...

Montrose is looking pretty good and the media is watching now because of the sensitive issue. Should be good for Montrose and Richland (bury the dog news), and I'll have to write about Jimmy's blog more. Make it relate.

I need to keep the diner mentality. Simple. Friendly. Crusty.

Unknown said...

Writing is the only career choice I could ever stick with and I was never really much good at that. I don't know why people like Mr. Smith stick with one thing all their lives. I'm sure there were near bankruptcies. Things gone wrong. But I stick with writing through thin and thinner.

Montrose has a music store with Rock music lessons. So far, the place is looking good. I keep looking for research. Thanks for the verification of a good idea for moving. Yes, there is just the one diner too. Sad. Maybe other places are called other things, but are diners at heart.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

Spread the word. I can use the readers. Ever since the Republic dropped the blogs, it hasn't been the same

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

Smitty is quite a guy. He is well into his 90s now and the last time I saw him he was sharp mentally. He grew up poor in Iowa, worked a lot of dirty jobs but found his niche in the grocery trade to the point that he sold off his stores in Iowa and moved to Phoenix to start anew. He had great success there before selling out in the early 80's. He also had his Missouri stores that did well.

He is a tough old Army vet from WWII. He is very religious but had to bend it a bit sailing home from the war as he was a helluva poker player and cleaned out a lot of guys aboard ship to get his stake in the grocery business.

His book is quite interesting.

Unknown said...

I will have to look for the book, Jimmy.

Jen wants me to write something and get published again, Jimmy. I keep showing her photos and videos of diners in other places outside of Missouri and she doesn't want me to move and she wants to see those places with me. And I listen to JJ since getting out of the hospital. You know my history with women, Jimmy. JJ's just like my big sister.

I just remembered that there's a Steak & Shake diner down the road apiece and that is one of Jen's favorite places to eat.

Unknown said...

Jimmy, vet friends just told me that there are manned 50 cal mg's at Fort Leonard Wood's gates with armor. Thursday, I thought it was just my paranoia.

Unknown said...

Order up biscuits and gravy, bacon, three eggs over easy and an endless cup of coffee with Internet. Well, in Montrose, Colorado the Internet download speeds are at 7 mbps (mega bytes per second) and in Denver its 100 mbps. My studio near Richland Missouri has an unbelievably fast 4.5 mbps and its .07 upload speeds. And because the video editing programs are Cloud based (an imaginary hard drive in the sky), the Adobe program won't work because folks in the country are third class citizens.

What this means is that if you want a good life, you need to move to a big city because when the NWO takes over, and it will, American citizens will be reduced to stacked and itemized consumers in a controlled environment. The only old fashioned diners will be carbon copies and duplicated in a location near you with corporate grown supplies! The campfire and camping experience can be on the TV for effect.

Jim McAllister said...

Doesn't sound pleasant. Somewhere Orwell is smiling at the thought.

Unknown said...

An Internet provider in Montrose, Colorado is guaranteeing considerably high speeds now, so the city makes it pretty attractive to web based companies. I could be paying a little more in Montrose and be getting five times the speed now. Upload speeds would be high too. Just think of the diners a person could build if they made a ton of money publishing on the Internet with higher speeds.

Unknown said...

My computer is messing up just when I was in the mood to edit video. It got fixed, and something else messed up to prevent editing video. I consider it a God thing. Seems like God is making everything go wrong so I am living retired, disabled and under the radar. Maybe even some memories of conversations with SN and politicians are a result of a micro stroke. I wonder if Einstein ever felt trapped in a box.

I could go to a truck stop for coffee in the morning and do other normal things to fit in. Montrose Colorado sounds nice, but it's never gonna happen. Jen doesn't want me to go either. Guitar practice today.

Jim McAllister said...

Rick,

Put a fresh carrot on a string in front of the treadmill donkey. It works every time for me when the computer goes down!

Sorry to hear about Montrose. Probably pretty out there and a fresh start.

Unknown said...

Fact is, Jim, that I like SN' friendship better than her money. It's the principle of the thing though. But she and I are cool.

I'm beginning to think that Trump might be playing us. Can you fathom the contracts he could push through as President to help certain people that he likes? He could be really sincere, but what if his long term vision is short sighted? Has anyone analyzed his behavior?

Hillary Clinton, Jeb Bush and Donald Trump in one Presidential race. That's pretty cool. I want a nice home in Montrose. Might survive a major war in that valley.

Unknown said...

Happy Sunday. Trying to gather up all the tools today that the help strung around the property.

Hey, here's a funny video for you. Dennis Miller talking about politics. Funny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucweexNqbgg

Unknown said...

Jim, you got to see this! They were talking about this Ferguson woman in the diner and I rushed home and watched it!

Peggy Hubbard became a social networking sensation when the black grandmother ripped into Black Lives Matter (Warning: Profanity)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqYoYa6hbE0

Since then Hubbard has become a celebrity of a kind and she's in a well behaved TV interview and I think it's about time that common sense got the spotlight.
http://www.kmov.com/Clip/11789799/raw-peggy-hubbard-speaks-with-news-4s-alissa-reitmeier-about-recent-violence-in-st-louis