Remembering Woolworth's: A Nostalgic History of the World's Most Famous Five-And-Dime

by Karen Plunkett-Powell

Book Overview

Millions of Americans have fond memories of shopping at Woolworth's, wandering the aisles in search of a humble spool Woolco thread, festive Christmas decorations, a goldfish or parakeet, or a blue... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312206704
• ISBN13: 9780312206703
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Fresh popcorn smell filled the air.

There was a F.W.Woolworths in my home town in Maynard,Massachusetts back in the 50's and 60's. I used to shop for my Mother there. You could get anything from a needle and thread to pet food to plastic toys to glassware to school supplies to 45rpm records. My friends and I used to meet there after school. I used to duck into the storefront from summer rainstorms. The smell of fresh popcorn filled the air. Friendly people were always there to help you find whatever you needed. The absence in America of stores such as Woolworths is a sign of the times. I now live in Lancaster,PA and I met Ms Powell while she researched the home town of F.W.Woolworth. I was happy to meet her and share my stories with her. She was delightful and very interesting. If you're a sentimentalist you need to go back in time and relive those days when we enjoyed shopping for the everyday items that we sometimes dread going to stores for today.

Take a trip down memory lane - thanks to Ms. Plunkett-Powell

Ms. Karen Plunkett-Powell's book is a joy to read, with great pictures. It follows the rise and fall of Woolworth's; sharing behind-the-scenes history that most people wouldn't know. BUT MOST IMPORTANT -- it brought back more memories than I realized I had forgotten of my child and teenage years and reminded me of just how many important things my family (and probably yours!) purchased from Woolworth's. My Woolworth's was in downtown Bradenton Florida, but reading the book I realized that people all over the USA and some foreign countries have many of the same memories that I do of Woolworth's -- parakeets, goldfish and hamsters, coke-floats and grilled cheese sandwiches, the 25-cent photo booth, parfume and cosmetics, the candy counter, comic books, my first watch, my first musical jewelry box, seasonal clothing, hula-hoops and batons, tennis shoes and flip-flop sandals, portable typewriters, play guns and dolls -- but most of all, Woolworth's was our Christmas Store. As the daughter of a 29-year Woolworth's saleslady, Woolworth's was where I wandered as a child, searching out all the things I hoped Santa would bring. Revive your memories -- this book sure is a trip down memory lane! Highly Recommended!

Karen Plunkett-Powell's Remembering Woolworth's is a winner!

Chock full of information, photos, illustrations and trivia, this book is a must read for anyone who ever worked for or shopped at the late, lamented Five & Dime.From penny candies, grilled cheese sandwiches and banana splits to details on the founder and the company, this book is painstakingly researched and written in a enjoyable style.I've been a fan of Ms. Plunkett-Powell since reading her excellent "Nancy Drew Scrapbook" and I thoroughly enjoyed this new trip down memory lane.

A particularly readable book!

Remembering Woolworth's is full of history, photos and memories of the old stores. It is a particularly readable book, and I especially enjoyed reading about the Woolworth store's overseas, as well as about Frank Woolworth's early years as a struggling merchant. I recommend this book for anyone who ever stepped foot inside a Woolworth's, or for those interested in how one man's ideas changed the world of retailing.

Brings the whole Woolworth's story alive!

This is an excellent book! There is a tremendous amount of fascinating detail as well as many wonderful pictures. The "time capsule memories" are especially gripping. And I was amazed to learn that Frank W. Woolworth's 7 business tips, the key to his success, are still relevant today. I liked this book very much and highly recommend it!