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Kresge's Five and Dime Stores

I was reminiscin' the other day about times that were more sublime,
And got to thinkin' about those old stores called Kresge's Five and Dime.
I recall browsin' through Kresge's Stores as a lad with Mom and Dad.
There ain't no more Kresge's Stores as far as I know and that is very sad.

There was a Kresge's in every sleepy town along Main Street.
Sittin' on a stool at the lunch counter was always a special treat.
Munchin' on a hotdog and tater chips and then a slab of cherry pie,
Or maybe a sundae concocted by the soda jerk would lighten up my eye!

Notions galore were displayed on tables, bins, racks and shelves.
Friendly clerks stood by to help but folks generally helped themselves.
The cashier put yer money in a tube that sailed off into space,
And in a trice returned yer change from some mysterious place!

I recall the squeaky wooden floors and visitin' the store at Christmas time,
When Santa Claus doled out bags of candy to kids at each Five and Dime.
Alas, those neighborhood stores have been replaced by huge national chains,
And only pleasant memories of Kresge's Five and Dime Stores remains.

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) 2014 All Rights Reserved

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Robert Lindley Date: 9/14/2014 5:52:00 PM What great memories your fine write brought back to me. We had Holland's Five and Dime Store on Main street. My God, it was so packed with toys, most that cheap stuff from Japan in the 50's and 60's but to we kids it was pure heaven! We boys concentrated on the shooting stuff, toy cap guns, sling shots and later the very top end cheap stuff there - the bb guns. Those he kept behind the main counter, and it had a squeaky wood floor too! Login to Reply Robert Lindley Date: 9/14/2014 5:52:00 PM Great write!! Adding this one to my fav list and giving it a 7 rating too. Thanks!

Lucilla Carrillo Date: 9/5/2014 4:26:00 PM Robert; You took me back in time. I too remember those too. It use to be a treat whenever we got to go. We got to eat out. I remember they use to sell 4 cups and 4 saucers for $ 2.00 and they were beautiful. real china. Thanks for the trip to memory lane.... Lucilla Login to Reply

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 9/3/2014 10:30:00 PM Kind of makes one want to return to the past when things were more personal and not so commercial. I vividly remember when my best friend's family bought a silver foil Xmas tree they put up every year. I hated to see it and so did my friend. Great writing Robert! Login to Reply

Poet Destroyer A Date: 9/3/2014 8:49:00 PM Hello Bob H., this is a fine story, and a fine memory to share. The way you recall the squeaky wooden floor, is amazing. It kind of reminds me of a wooden floor back at the old country store place... I love this..LINDA Login to Reply

Ilene Bauer Date: 9/3/2014 7:45:00 PM you've nailed this one, bob! we didn't have kresge's (although i know that name) but did have five and dime stores and i really miss them. you can't compare the "huge national chains" to them at all! i was especially happy to see the "tater chips" in your poem! Login to Reply