Love at the Five & Dime...

I really miss the concept of a five-and-dime store. While I love the 99 Cents Store and Target, they are just not the same. Woolworth's, McCrory's, SS Kresge, Lamstons...all gone. Here's a wonderful old postcard depicting Stapleton Town Square in my hometown circa 1940s/50s. I can only imagine what this area looks like today.
Nanci Griffith's Love at the Five & Dime, covered here by the great Kathy Mattea is a melancholy reminder of those simplier times.
And Robert Altman's brilliant film adaptation of COME BACK TO THE FIVE & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN boasts some wonderful performances by Sandy Dennis, Karen Black and Cher.

Shopping at Korvette's

Being back home in Staten Island, NY has already made me nostalgic for the place where most of my toys and records came from - a wonderful retail outlet known as

E.J. Korvettes.

Founded in 1948, Korvettes sadly went bankrupt in 1980. 

The chain was one of the first discount department stores. 

It was founded on the premise that people actually preferred to save money on their purchases!

Korvette's low-price model was similar to that of "five and dime" retailers such as Woolworth's, McCrory's, and S.S. Kresge (K-mart) but carried a broader range of products, from jewelry to appliances, underselling the major department stores.

E.J. Korvette at its peak, it had 58 stores, including my local store on Richmond Avenue - before there was a Staten Island Mall.

There was a even company-owned Hills Supermarket attached. After the store closed, it became a DMV. I have no idea what is there now. I guess I'll find out this week.