Before we go on on a trip down Retail Memory Lane, Dear Readers, let me beg your indulgence. This will be my last blog post until Sunday, September 25. I need some time off because yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life.
No, not what you’re thinking. Not a new husband,
I got a job. And it started on Wednesday.
It promises to be exciting, challenging, stimulating- and scary. And I promise to tell you all about it when I return.
(But first I have to get my sea legs before I can write you all about it.)
So wish me luck and hang in there with me. Thanks!
And now let’s go shopping at the mall.
In case you don’t recognize it, that’s Carson Pirie Scott peeking out of a very blurry old photograph of Edens Plaza. For those of you who didn’t grow up on the North Shore, the old shopping mall- one of the first in the country, I think- was located at the corners of Lake Avenue and Skokie Highway in Wilmette, Illinois.
They tore down this version and built a new one in 1994.
But to those of us who grew up there, the old Edens Plaza was the setting for many of our childhood triumphs and tragedies and no other mall will ever take its place in our affections.
The old mall was filled with the ghosts of a more innocent, carefree time when both we- and the world- were still coming of age.
It was the place where so many of us bought our very first parakeet or goldfish. Or 45 or dressy pair of shoes.
It was the place where so many of us held our very first summer job or watched our mothers try on a dress.
Come on. Let’s go back to the old Edens Plaza.
Just close your eyes and pretend that your eleven years old again. It’s summer, school’s out, and you’ve got three dollars in your pocket.
You look both ways before you cross your bike over the highway and you’ve promised your mother you’d come home before dark.
Are you ready?
Last one there is a rotten egg!
I’m hungry, aren’t you? Let’s stop in at Belllringer’s Grill. I don’t have enough money for a hamburger but they’re nice to us kids in there and they’ll let us split fries and buy Cokes.
(They didn’t have a jukebox at Bellringer’s. But this would have been playing if they did.)
Boy, that was good. Now let’s go to Schmidt’s Bakery. I know a girl who works there and I want a doughnut.
Hurry up and finish that brownie. I want to go to the music store. They’ve got this really neat glass room where you can play 45’s on the hi-fi and no one can hear you. I can’t buy a record but maybe I’ll look at the sheet music.
(Here’s the first 45 I ever did buy. I still have it.)
Now where? Stineway’s Drug Store? Ok.
First I want to look at the magazines and then I think I’ll buy some gum on the way out. Black Jack is my favorite. What’s yours?
I call the next stop! Woolworth’s. I got Pete, my parakeet, there. And Gunther, Algernon and Franklin. They’re my turtles and they’re pretty cool.
Let’s visit the makeup counter and try on some lipstick. They’re got all the great Tussy colors. Look at this hot coral polish.
And they’re got that new “Fire and Ice” lipstick by Revlon. Wish I was old enough to wear it.
Check out these earrings! Aren’t they neat? Hey! Put back that comic book. If Mr. Fain. the manager, catches us he’ll call my parents and they’ll murder me.
Hey, this is cool. A Duncan yo-yo. I want one.
Oh, I almost forgot. I promised my brother I’d buy him a pack of Topp’s baseball cards. Here they are. I love how the bubble gum tastes exactly like the cardboard, don’t you?
Let’s skip Tailored Girl. It’s way too grown up for me. Carson’s Pre-Teen section on the second floor fits me just fine.
Don’t you love these madras bermudas? And this round collar blouse is sooo neat.
I’m thirsty. Let’s stop at the National.
My mother always shops here.
Heinemann’s pistachio cake is my favorite. And Sara Lee cheesecake, too.
Oops. I just tore my shoe lace. I’ll race you to Phillip’s Shoe Repair.
Don’t you just love all these shoes dyed to match the bridesmaids’ gowns and prom dresses?
When we go to New Trier, I’m going to buy white silk heels at Chandler’s and take them here to be dyed aqua or pink.
What’s next? You have to go to Schaul’s Poultry to pick up chicken for your mother? You go in. I
l’ll wait here. I can’t stand seeing all those dead chickens. When I grow up, I’ll NEVER cook chicken. Too yucky. I’ll just wait over on the bench by the bus stop.
Are you done? I’ve got to go. See you tomorrow.
Maybe we’ll try that new place.
Old Orchard.
Now low let’s turn on my little transistor radio and hear what would have been playing.
Nice blog post title, Ellen! Mazel tov on the new job, and can a new husband be far behind?
Technical point: That baseball card notwithstanding, I have only ever heard of the legendary Pirates outfielder as Roberto Clemente.
Thanks, George. I appreciate the compliment and the good thoughts. As for the husband….No comment on your comment. Sincerely, Mrs. Hank Greenberg
Kudos on the new job. Same one we “Gabied” about? Ain’t being able to see
wonderful? Luv ya
Yep, same job, mon ami. You’ll have to stop by and check it out. Tres interessant. And thanks, Jess. Hope to see you soon.
Nothing but success and happiness in the new gig Ellen…look forward to hearing all about it!
Thanks, Gar. Your good wishes mean a lot. But don’t worry. We can still have lunch together- and maybe I can pick up the check once in awhile.
Good luck Ellen- hope you enjoy it !
Thanks so much, Betsy. I’m excited. (But I’ll still see you around town on the weekends.) 😊
Ellen,
Hold it!!
“For those of you who didn’t grow up on the North Shore (la-de-da)……..”
I have to tell you something. Us South Siders knew everything about the “North Shore”. It’s you “North Shoreans” that knew NOTHING of anything south of Roosevelt Road……
The South what?
What great memories of the only place we could go to for fun.. We had to wait until we were 9 to cross Lake Ave ( Judy could go earlier because she was the youngest … We were the first) I remember those fries at bell ringers & the cute Loyola boys there! You forgot Allens stationery where we got our Chandlers. Ellen Davis worked at Schmitts bakery & swore Richard Speck was waiting outside the door the day after he killed those nurses. Judy worked at Woolworths (great snow cones!) & I worked at carsons buffet . The guy at Stineways was a pervert & I couldn’t wait until the weeks’ top hits came out at the record store.
Have a wonderful time at your new job & I m looking forward to hearing all about it when you’re back!!
Loved this. And thanks for the additional memories. They made me smile. Omg! It seems like yesterday- and a million years ago- at the same time. Thanks for the addition and the good wishes. Both are appreciated. Love, 810
SO HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR NEWEST VENTURE. PLEASE FILL ME IN.
I HAVE SIMILAR MEMORIES OF MY DAYS IN THE LAKEVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD.
WOOLWORTHS, STINEWAYS, EDWARDS & LEONARDS RESTAURANTS.
WE EVEN HAD MAGES SPORTING GOODS AT LINCOLN,BELMONT AND ASHLAND.
LOVE ALL YOUR MEMORIES ELLEN. I CAN’T REMEMBER WHERE I WAS YESTERDAY. XOXO
Thanks, Lil. Glad you enjoyed this one and glad to know that it rang a bell with the city kids like you. I’ll keep you posted. Love, E
Used to ride my bike there all of the time – left Chicago in 1975. What I remember the most of the plaza was the really cool center area of Carson’s that had the glass ceiling and the tree that was there close to Lake – it was shaped like a figure 4 or something – it had a plaque talking about Native Americans bending the tree to point the way to something (or something like that). Wish I had a pic of that…
Thanks for the memories.