Photo: Christmas rush - 1955 Woolworth's Department Store
It was 129 years ago, when Frank Woolworth opened his first Woolworth's store
in the state of Pennsylvania, USA. Unfortunately, 1997 saw the last Woolworths
store in America close it's doors for good. So for me, it was a nostalgic moment
the first time I walked over St. Ives, Bridge Street and caught sight of that large,
red Woolies sign, I sort of lost it. "woolies, woolies, woolies, woolies !!"
That was me screaming with my arms outstretched as I ran down Bridge
Street like a marathon runner going for the finish line. I was told I had this crazy
look on my face and my eyes had glazed over.
As in America, Woolworths, is soon to be only a memory here in the U.K.
I stepped into Woolies, for what I considered to be the last time the other
day and purchased an iron for £3.99 ($6.11) People were queueing impatiently
in long lines for the cash registers. Not much different from the scene in that
1955 photo above. In fact, I think I saw that woman in the photo - the one
wearing a scarf. Yep - she was right in front of me - still standing in line.
For posterity's sake, I thought I would snap one last photo.
Hello - what's this ??
Ah yes - here stands the future of England, wearing a pink tutu and smoking a fag.
I wonder what "finishing school" she attends ?!
I have now lost all focus on what I was going to write for this post.
Oh well - one photo is worth 1000 words they say.
Hmmm - wonder if Woolworths have any plastic hangers left....
They make great Christmas presents.
So long Woolies !