From 1939 when I started Kuser grammar School right up to June 1951 when I graduated Hamilton High, Traycy's was my source for my school supplies, and my childhood toys and gimmicks. Diagonally across the street was Bernie Schnur's "5 and 10" where the impoverished Glover family purchase "cancellation shoes;" shoes with very slight manufacturing defects which were hardly noticable....maybe a cro9ked seam or a slightly off kilter soul.Ah! At last the dark side of the real Mister Glover was about to show itself and especially after the statute of limitations has run it's course for most crimes. I thought we may have been in for a treat with Tom as the mastermind behind that rash of hub cap that went missing in the late 50's. My two "favorite" words are lose and loose. Wasn't there a place out by Yardville or Groveville whose "stock in trade" was imperfections? I believe it was called "The Shoe Barn" and it seems that I remember shoes and sweaters? Or how about "Cheap John's aka, John's Bargain Store next to the Capitol Theater on South Broad?
Tom what really struck a cord .. or was it chord .. was the kids reader of the 1950 that addressed the recession of the times. I remember a "Dick and Jane" reader where "Father" was without a job and the family was faced with summer without a vacation? But "Mother" saved the day and with spare change and a box lunch managed to save enough for a day at "The Amusement Park" with a simple ice cream cone making them feel like royalty. My own Dad was between jobs back then and seeing it in print took much of the sing out of the situation.
Ed Millerick
Tommy
Our family bought allour clothes from south street in philly.
All our clothes were "2nds" which meant they were slightly mismatched
or someyhing else.the difference Guys would stand in front of the stores and dag you in. My father always negotiated and never paid full price.imes wete tough for all of us.But we survived right?
Lee
Spent lots of time standing near that "red light" when waiting for my school bus to Villa Victoria and then later for Trenton Transit to Cathedral. Tracy's was "THE" place for lots of last minute shopping when couldn't get to town. I honestly can recall standing at some of the bins of items there and trying to make up my mind. Gosh Tom, that was over 60 yrs ago and those good memories are still there. Thanx again for stirring them up.
I thought all 5 & 10 stores were called Tracys as a kid :)
Tom - Forgive me, but I couldn't let this one get by! I think you mean a "slightly off kilter sole" not the off kilter soul, which I'm sure you do not have!
ReplyDeleteLakeside Girl
Ah! At last the dark side of the real Mister Golver was about to show itself and especially after the statute of limitations has run it's course for most crimes. I thought we may have been in for a treat with Tom as the mastermind behind that rash of hub cap that went missing in the late 50's. My two "favorite" words are lose and loose. Wasn't there a place out by Yardville or Groveville whose "stock in trade" was imperfections? I believe it was called "The Shoe Barn" and it seems that I remember shoes and sweaters? Or how about "Cheap John's aka, John's Bargain Store next to the Capitol Theater on South Broad?
ReplyDeleteTom what really struck a cord .. or was it chord .. was the kids reader of the 1950 that addressed the recession of the times. I remember a "Dick and Jane" reader where "Father" was without a job and the family was faced with summer without a vacation? But "Mother" saved the day and with spare change and a box lunch managed to save enough for a day at "The Amusement Park" with a simple ice cream cone making them feel like royalty. My own Dad was between jobs back then and seeing it in print took much of the sing out of the situation.
Ed Millerick
Tommy
ReplyDeleteOur family bought allour clothes from south street in philly.
All our clothes were "2nds" which meant they were slightly mismatched
or someyhing else.the difference Guys would stand in front of the stores and dag you in. My father always negotiated and never paid full price.imes wete tough for all of us.But we survived right?
Lee
Spent lots of time standing near that "red light" when waiting for my school bus to Villa Victoria and then later for Trenton Transit to Cathedral. Tracy's was "THE" place for lots of last minute shopping when couldn't get to town. I honestly can recall standing at some of the bins of items there and trying to make up my mind. Gosh Tom, that was over 60 yrs ago and those good memories are still there. Thanx again for stirring them up.
ReplyDeleteI thought all 5 & 10 stores were called Tracys as a kid :)
ReplyDeleteWas Bond's on State St across from the YMCA? I remember wishing my name was Bond, they had all the money, Bond Bread, Bond Cleaners etc. :)
ReplyDelete