You could do all your shopping there with the exception of fresh meat and produce, and the prices were very good! My parents often took me there on a Saturday morning, where we would have breakfast at the counter...and the food was really good, fresh and the price was great. After breakfast my parents would walk around the store and make their purchases...radio, wool, candy, school supplies, whatever they needed and we would go to the cash and pay for the items. I can still remember the sound of the big old cash register!
As for today, at least in my opinion, I think the dollar stores are today's five and dime stores. No, (at least the ones here in Montreal) don't have a soda fountain counter where you can order a meal or a coffee, but I have often found some nostalgic items there that I honestly thought were gone for good! Lavoris Mouth Wash, for example! I remember the red one and the cinnamon taste. I was pleasantly surprised to see that dollar stores in my area are still selling this! I have always wondered why I enjoy going to dollar stores so much, but I think I know why now...nostalgic memories! Whenever I go to a dollar store I make certain that I am not in a rush and I take my time to walk around and see all the items they sell. When I see something that I remember from my childhood I have such good memories and I always feel good when I go to a dollar store...and am happy with my purchases when I leave. I also love to go to thrift and charity stores, and for the same reason!
I found this video of an old F.W. Woolworth TV commercial from 1980. Note that it was just 30 seconds in length.
So what about you? Do you go to dollar stores in your area? Do you find any nostalgic items in them? Do you remember the F.W. Woolworth stores of yesteryear?
Thank you all so much for visiting me here! I really appreciate and enjoy reading your thoughts, which you are always welcome to share by clicking on the 'comments' link at the end of my post.
I think our Woolworth's was long gone by 1980. I would have said Kmart was more like Woolworth's, though I know they're a lot bigger than the Woolworth that we had, but the Dollar stores you have may be larger than ours here in West Virginia, too.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't remember when the last F.W. Woolworth was closed in the Montreal area, Gorges. It was so long ago...yet seems like yesterday. I think our dollar stores here are probably larger, especially Dollarama, which is the largest dollar store franchise in Canada with over 750 stores.
DeleteOh my gosh!!! I had totally forgotten about Lavoris!!! And how about "You'll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent". I have been to several Dollar Stores this week, our city has many of them. And I mean MANY!!! I just bought Chiclets!!! Remember, candy coated gum, you can't find it anywhere else! I LOVED Woolworth!!! You also left out their candy counter where they would weigh by the pound and they had wonderful white cream filled chocolate drops.
ReplyDeleteGinny, wow! I had totally forgotten about the candy counter where they weighed the candy! Yes, I remember Chiclets and you are right, you can't find it anywhere else. I remember the commercial jingle you speak of, I can still hear it in my head! Thanks so much for sharing your memories!
DeleteI go to a place called dollar tree
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Adam.
DeleteI used to love going to Woolworth's in Lynchburg, the closest city to where I grew up in Virginia. It was in the downtown part of the city. It did have everything! And I loved the lunch counter. I loved the array of smells in the store. I miss places like that. I occasionally go to a local dollar store. Maybe I should explore it more--might be surprised at what I find!
ReplyDeleteTina, thank you so much for sharing your memories! You would love exploring the dollar stores...and the thrift and charity stores, if you get the chance. There are so many wonderful things there, at great prices, too.
DeleteI do remember shopping at Woolworth's with my mom when I was little. She always took me to lunch there and the food was wonderful as you wrote! I like thrift stores and Family Dollar in my small town! Thanks for stopping by and visiting me today!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your visit and comment.
DeleteHello Linda, thanks for your recent visit. I remember Woolworths, Kmart, Woodwards As a boy I was a frequent shopper of Kmart, books, toys, yup! Dollar stores, we have way too many here in Alberta, every corner, they are tiny & packed to the ceiling with stuff. Not very attractive or tidy! : )
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, I fully comprehend! I don't like clutter myself! The dollar stores here are large and bright and have a good stock, and are clean, too. Thanks so much for your comment and visit.
DeleteI love Dollar Tree stores! I haven't seen any Woolworths stores since the 80's. I remember shopping in dime stores as a kid when I got 25 cents allowance every Saturday. I would usually buy a 10 cent comic book and maybe spend the rest on going to a movie.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Sparrow, oh, those 10 cent comics! I remember the 12 cent ones, my father would buy some for me and I relished in them.
DeleteI remember Woolworth from the times I was on holidays in England, Linda !
ReplyDeleteSo nice, Lies!
DeleteWe have a couple of dollar stores around here, but they are not the same as the old 5-and-10s. When I think of the Woolworth in my hometown, I remember the friendly and helpful clerks behind some of the counters.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, George, I miss those stores.
DeleteI need to go to these types of stores more often. I hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day Linda!
ReplyDeleteYou sure do, Keith. I sure did, thank you so much!
DeleteI DO recall loving Woolworth as a child and I remember that cinnamon mouth wash too. I have now graduaed from Woolworth to Walmart. Oh yes big spender here. ha ha
ReplyDeleteLOL Willow! You and I alike. Thanks so much for your comment.
DeleteI grew up in a small town in Arkansas and we had a wonderful downtown area...Main Street! We had 2 dime stores across the street from each other. What fun to shop there. I don't shop at Dollar Stores...I shop thrift stores for fun!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the thrift stores! They have a treasure trove of great memories! Thanks so much for your comment, Lavender.
DeleteThe "Dollar" stores are nothing like the old 5 & 10 Cent stores, e.g. Woolworth. When I was young, that was the place to go for almost everything and most had a lunch counter where you could get soup, sandwiches, cokes, ice cream, etc. I was very sad, actually, when they began to disappear because I never found a store that matched them in terms of variety, quality and price!
ReplyDelete