Five and dime stores

[radhead]

One thing I really miss from my childhood is the dime store (variety store). I hate people that say, isn't the dollar store the same thing? I have to say no, it's not. It's not even close. Okay, well maybe the dollar store is close to what the original dime store was a hundred years ago, which I imagine was a pretty boring type of store. Just like the dollar stores of today.

But the dime store had transmogrified (is that a word?) into an amazing retail experience by the latter half of the century. They were officially called "variety stores" although most people still called them dime stores by tradition. But they really had everything. And they weren't limited by a single price the way that dollar stores are today. They were actually sort of like a miniature Walmart (excluding groceries). They had literally every department you would find in a Walmart today, but just in a smaller scale. Yes, even the hunting section. I used to love looking at the display case of pocket knives. I also used to get all my Lego's from a dime store in my city. You could also get a Timex watch, or even fresh popcorn or Icee's.

Can you get any of that stuff in a dollar store? I think not. Speak to the hand, dollar store.

I think the dime store sort of died out around 1997, when Woolworth's [sniff] began closing their stores.

 

[JPPT1974]

I remember those stores as a kid
Too bad that they don't have them anymore
What a pity!

 

[Daisysqueaks]

The thoughts of those kind of stores reminds me of TG&Y. *sigh I miss it. My mom used to love going there to get all of her sewing supplies. I agree you could get everything in one store. You could basically fit one whole store in the womens clothing area at Wal-Mart. Those were the days.

 

[alabaster jar]

I liked those stores, too

 

[JPPT1974]

Plus they were more personable
As well as friendly unlike a Super Walmart
Which is just the opposite!

 

[CandyL]

My mom got her sewing stuff there, too!

 

[JPPT1974]

Very cool my friend!!

 

[radhead]

Wow. I just visited a Dollar General store today for the first time in... maybe ever. They certainly are reminescent of the latter day dime stores. I would change a few things but they do have the overall general feel. (Even as a kid I thought 90% of the store appealed to "moms" and was totally boring).

I guess the first dollar store I remember visiting was so pristine, new and sterile, that I was totally turned off.

I recently learned that Dollar General was actually started in the 50's. Cool.