Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Shopping Trip

The newspaper article was just a notice of a building being razed in a nearby city, but it instantly threw me back into another era in the late 1960's, holding hands with my grandmother on one side and my great-grandmother on the other.

I was no more than four years old, but the memory is still fragrant to me. That building housed a women's wear store. In its heyday in the 40's, 50's, and 60's, that store drew shoppers from all over South Texas with fine fashion, a view that overlooked the Gulf of Mexico, and personal service that has become as extinct as the dinosaurs.

The women in my family were champion shoppers (still are) and loved beautiful clothing (still do).  Both my grandmothers and most of my great-grandmothers made trips to this store to find frocks for special occasions, to save big at the semi-annual sales, and to enjoy being cosseted in the on site beauty shop.

This was a time when women dressed nicely to go clothes shopping. That included me on this trip. I wore a Sunday dress and Sunday shoes. I can recall not being entirely sure we weren't going to church with the way I was dressed, but I reveled in being with Grandma and GiGi (great grandma) for the whole day. My brother had just been born, so they took me for a day on the town. (I wrote about GiGi in her younger days and the time she stared down Pancho Villa in this post: The Day Pancho Villa Came to Town)

I can still close my eyes and retrieve the sweet aromas of the perfume and and lotion they wore.

When we left the car and walked across the parking lot, each squeezed one of my hands, walking at my pace.  That feeling of security is part of my foundation still.

The entryway of the store was fronted with floor to ceiling windows, showcasing the glory of the bayfront. A saleswoman greeted us and told us in a melodious voice what each department was featuring. The bottom floor displayed accessories: gloves, hats, and jewelry. The shininess of that jewelry made me catch my breath. It seemed to me more dazzling than even the sun bouncing off the waves in the bay just across the street from us.

We rode an escalator to the second floor, where dresses of every color, size, and style imaginable took residence. I had never seen so many. As Grandma and GiGi carefully looked at selections brought to them by attentive sales ladies, I pushed myself through racks of dresses, enjoying the feel of the fabric rushing past my face as I journeyed deeper. Gigi's hand touched my arm and I swam my way back to the open.

We climbed a spiral staircase that looked to me like it would be an ideal piece of playground equipment to jump on and slide down. We cleared the final step and into the third floor, awash in yellow. The yellow walls safeguarded tables of a gentle brown, which were covered in pale yellow tablecloths and set with delicate lemon colored lace napkins. The chairs were cloaked in coordinating covers of the softest yellow.

I was glad when Grandma asked me if I wanted a Coke. We didn't have soda often, so I felt especially privileged to have this time with these women I loved AND get to enjoy a Coke. They laughed and joked as we seated ourselves. A waitress dressed in a crisp white dress and little cap came to take our order. A small, raised stage in the center of the room made me wonder if someone was going to sing to us.

Instead, models wearing the newest styles entered singly, holding out their arms and turning at the end of the stage so we could get a full view. At the end, everyone clapped as the young women exited the room. Salesladies came table to table to take orders for any of the dresses. I do not remember if either Grandma or Gigi ordered anything, but I did feel like such a grown-up when the saleslady asked  me with a smile, "And you, young lady? Did you see anything you'd like to order?"

They took me on a foray through the girls' department, rooting through layers of dresses to find just the ones for me to try on. I felt like royalty as I tried each one on and twirled in front of the three-fronted mirrors. The one we all agreed on together and that they then bought for me that day is one I kept for years, even when my closet was well filled with teenager clothes.

The hats, gloves, and styles in that store are relics of the past, living on only in memories or perhaps in an odd closet or two. Likewise, Grandma and Gigi are gone now, though still vibrant in my heart.

I'd like to step inside that building one more time, climb up to the third floor and maybe do a twirl on that little stage. Its demolition will wipe out all possibilities of that,  but the important things that building housed are dynamically alive still.

38 comments:

  1. I remember such stores that you wrote about here, Shelly. I remember the fashion shows at lunchtime and the ladies who dressed to go shopping. So many memories you have of that special day! I'm sure it is hard to see the building demolished but those memories will always live on!

    betty

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  2. I have similar memories of places in my past that bring joy to my mind just thinking about them. There was a drive in that my father would go and pick up hot dogs. They were wrapped and arranged in a white tray a little taller than the hot dogs and the scent would drive me and my two sisters wild. That scent was heavenly to us and meant more to us than the electronics do to today's generation. Sweet memories.

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  3. Betty: It's a shame shops are so different from how they used to be. Now, too many clerks seem indifferent or antagonistic to helping customers out. Those are good memories!

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  4. Odie: I so enjoyed reading your recollection of the hot dogs. Have you ever written a post about it? I know it would be delightful to read~

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  5. WOW - what a great memory - I honestly had no idea that any thing like that even existed. What a great memory and shop a fun time with your grandma.

    Love, sandie

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  6. Sandie: It's fun to think about that store. When we were sorting through my grandmother's things after she passed away, my daughter was delighted to find a stash of fashion hats from the 50's and 60's that had been hers. great times!

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  7. I loved reading this post, Shelly! That really was a different era, wasn't it? I remember going to such stores with my mother or my Aunt Molly -- having lunch in a tea room while a fashion show went on, beautiful displays. One store even had a fountain and wishing well on the ground floor. That building still stands, but has become a Macy's and the fountain and wishing well are long gone -- took up too much valuable sales floor space. Now it's just like any other place. But it lives on in my memories -- just as your special store (and Grandma and Gigi) live on in yours!

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  8. Dr. Kathy: What lovely places those stores were! I wish I could take my daughters to something like that. I am glad you got to visit one with your Aunt Molly. Those memories are treasures!

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  9. Oh, Dearest Shelly.
    What a LOVELY memory with your grandmother and great-grandmother♡♡♡
    I DID love my mom used to stopping by her favorite boutique watching her choosing clothes or just enjoying fancy dresses. The owner had same aged son with my brother and mom always talked for a while with her. One of my sweetest memory with her♬♬♬
    The stores in the arcade are almost all closed because of new big mall in our city. Bit sad to see the change, isn't it!
    Haha, so sorry that I always comment about myself(^^;)
    Love and Lots of Hugs to you, xoxo Miyako*

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  10. Orchid: I loved your memory, Orchid! So rich and sweet. Have you posted about it? I know it would be something wonderful for us all to read. Thank you for stopping by, dear friend, and for sharing such a sweet time with your mom. Have a terrific weekend!

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  11. You brought back memories of my own with this piece, Shelly. First of all, I fondly remember your post about GiGi and Pancho Villa. Nobody tells a story better than you, dear friend.

    This post triggered memories of my early childhood when my mother took me shopping with her in downtown York. My older brother was already in the Air Force stationed in Labrador and I was essentially an only child. Money was tight and instead of hiring a sitter my mother made me tag along. As I entered those large department stores I remember getting bowled over by the sweet smell of perfumes and lotions in the cosmetics and toiletries department. I remember the elevator operators always being so friendly to me and my mother. In fact everybody seemed much more chatty and friendly back then. I used to do what you did. Bored from the slow pace of my mother's shopping I'd disappear inside the clothing racks and pretend that I was in a jungle or a maze or something. I especially loved to do this among the fur coats because they felt so good. I can't believe the store manager didn't show up and tell my mom to get her grubby little boy out of his expensive furs! (LOL) Of course, there were no surveillance cameras in those days to catch me in the act. My aunt worked as a clerk at one of York's largest dept. stores. My grandfather owned a men's wear store just off the square and he and my uncle ran it. I loved to play in my grandfather's store, jump around on his tables and eat his complimentary pretzel rods. I agree with your recollection that people dressed up in those days. Women wore dresses, heels, hats and veils and men wore suits and ties. If you watch the ABC television series Pan-Am you'll notice how well dressed air travelers were in the early 60s. Nowadays people travel, go shopping, go to restaurants and on dates dressed like they're competing in a track and field event. I miss the glamour. I miss the formality. Gosh, Shelly, I'm probably viewing the past through rose colored glasses but it really does seem like many things were better then.

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  12. Shady: I don't think you're just using your rose colored glasses. Standards have really taken a turn in the last 25 years or so. I think sometimes dressing nicer actually helps people feel better about themselves.

    What fun those memories are. I hope one day you will write about them. You are an excellent writer and many would get enjoyment out of them, including me!

    That hiding in the clothes thing- that's universal, I think. A little boy popped out at me from the middle of a clothes rack the other day. It ended up startling him, though, because he thought I was his mom.

    Thank you for stopping by, my friend, and I hope your weekend is wonderful!

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  13. Shelley - How vividly you evoke that day and time. Personally, I think we may have gotten a little "too casual" in our attire in today's society.

    But that is just cranky old me. :)

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  14. Those are wonderful memories! I only saw stores like that in the movies. It was a different era.

    I loved shopping with my mom and grandma. I grew up in a smallish city so we didn't have stores like that one. But I do remember how helpful the sales ladies were and the nice elevator operator. My mom and grandma were always dressed nice to shop.

    I still try to dress nice if I'm going to the mall. It seems strange to go in jeans, although I do once in awhile. I don't dress up for Walmart, I'm afraid.

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  15. Ugh! I LOVED LOVED LOVED this post! I wish there were a place like that now. I wish my daughters would let me dress them up and take them shopping.

    What a magical memory!

    I find so much joy in collecting vintage clothes, tea sets and furniture. I would have liked to live in a time when the vintage was shiny and new.

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  16. I agree with the others Shelly, what wonderful memories you have there, and how lovely to actually have known your great grandma, as well as your grandma. That must have been such a special treat for you being with those two ladies, and I bet they enjoyed having you on their own so much!! You do write beautifully my friend, and I love it when you tell these stories. As you say, standards have changed SO much, and it's such a shame. I agree that people would feel so much better about themselves if they only dressed a bit smarter. How can they feel good, when they dress so slovenly. It's all about making an effort. Oh, and yes, how difference the service was in the shops in those days. Nowadays, sometimes, you feel that you are an inconvenience if you have to ask an assistant a question! Oh my, I had better stop, as I'm beginning to sound like a grumpy old woman!!!

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  17. Marsha: That's not being cranky- just wanting people to present themselves a little better than most do. I agree-

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  18. Belle: I'm like you- even if I'm just going to the feed store, I don't like to look like a slob. However, all bets are off if I'm going to Walmart!

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  19. Crystal: I really do wish there were places like that, still. I've often thought that I should buy a great outfit, wrap it up, and save it for 20 years, so then I would have something vintage, but new. But then I want to wear everything right away.

    Someday, your girls will get to the stage where they'll enjoy going clothes shopping with you the way you want. My older daughter has finally come to that point now that she's an adult!

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  20. Thisisme: Thank you, my friend. They were such loving people and I count it a blessing to have had them in my life for as long as I did.

    It really is a pity clothes standards and service standards have slipped so much these days. I think if a new store opened up with the premise of superior service, just like they used to have, that they would be overrun with business. Maybe one day...

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  21. The thought of you and your grandmothers enjoying that time together is breathtakingly beautiful. I don't remember when adults slowed enough to walk at my pace, so I'm going to remember to do that for Elliot, everywhere we go.
    I can remember hiding in racks of clothing at Sears back in the 70's, and my brothers and I wishing that my mother would hurry up to make her selection so we could go back home and play. Your memory is so lovely; full of sunshine, color, and incredible women.

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  22. Jenny: It really is a great memory I like to think about. I really have been blessed with the great women (and men) I have in my life. I used to do the same with my mom- hide in the racks until she was finished or made me come out. I would like to hide in the racks once more, just for fun. People might look at me strangely, but I actually think I'm going to put it on my bucket list.

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  23. Shelly...it seems you have hit upon a time and place that evokes delicious and wondrous memories for many. You have such a wonderful and delightful way of telling a story. You as I've said before are a true wordsmith. I love reading all your posts, (stories), but this one did bring back happy memories of shopping and going on a spree with my Mom and Grandmother. I remember even when shopping for my wedding we still had stores where you could go and sit and have delicious choices of gowns, etc brought to you for your selections. Sadly I don't know of places that offer that to the public without a huge price tag as part of the sale!

    Lovely story dear friend...lovely you!
    Hugs~

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  24. Sush: You are so very kind to me with your words- thank you, sweet friend. I think getting to go shopping with our moms, grandmas, great grandmas and aunts is a timeless tradition, and one that is remembered for an entire lifetime. I am so sad for kids like some of my students who've never had that experience. How enriching it is!

    Wow- I'm so glad you had the experience of a completely full service store when you were shopping for your wedding dress. We're starting to look for one for my older daughter, and you're right. They only come with a hefty price tag.

    Have a wonderful evening, sweet friend!

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  25. What a heavenly day! I can imagine how grown-up and glamorous you must have felt sitting there, sipping a Coke, watching that fashion show.

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  26. Such girly fun and such GREAT memories!

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  27. Missed Periods: It still stands out to me as a banner day. No other shopping trip since has ever quite measured up-

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  28. What lovely memories, Shelly. You make me miss my Grandma...

    Pearl

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  29. Pearl: We are fortunate women to have grandmas who made such an impression on us that we still miss them to this day.

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  30. This almost made me cry! I know the security you speak of. I actually have 2 of my grandmother's long, silk/polyester pajamas that I used to sashay around in as a little girl. She gave them to me. She is still living (87) and I love wearing her pajamas. It reminds me of her younger, more glamorous days. Thanks for sharing your sweet story,

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  31. Kelley: What a wonderful thing to still have your grandma and those special pajamas! I have some jewelry that was my grandmas and to me, it still even smells like her.

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  32. Finally!!! I printed up your posts and read them while pumping today!! Loved this story, even though, I have no memories like this, you made me feel as if it were me instead of you!!

    What a wonderful memory to have forever, unlike the building...

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  33. Jamie: Thank you for reading- that was a marathon! I wish there was a way we could all have a shopping trip together someday. That would be loads of fun!

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  34. You've captured beautifully a treasured memory. While reading I thought of the old version of the movie, The Women. They shopped together and the dresses were paraded before the ladies. It is sad when great places and buildings are torn down - but, wonderful when someone can chronicle memories to keep it alive! I have enjoyed my visit and am your newest follower!
    Kathy

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  35. Kathy: I LOVE the movie The Women! I watched it again with my younger daughter not too long ago. That shopping experience is so different and foreign to what we have now. Thank you for dropping by- I am headed over to yours right now!

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  36. What a grand memory. I have some similar memories. Remember when stores had mezzanine's? I also remember when the elevator had an operator, in a uniform, to direct us to the different floors and women gathered for fancy lunches in the department store building. Good post!

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  37. Sweet Tea: Oh, to have stores and shopping experiences like that! I look at those old movies and long for that. The food counter at Target is no match at all for the grandeur of those old stores.

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