Friday, December 08, 2006

Christmastime at J. Howard Williams Company


This photograph was taken on Main Street in front of the J. Howard Williams Company. At first glance, it appears to be a parade float but as you can see the trailer is obviously stationary. Its wheels are chocked and it’s also equipped with electric flood lamps and a microphone. The wire cage on the right suggests a contest – a store promotion of some type.

This entire block is now gone – destroyed! I distinctly remember Mr. Charlie Rogers and the barber shop but some of the other storefronts escape me…

…maybe one (or more) of our class historians has a better memory of that block?


Photo Courtesy of John Gulledge
CLICK HERE OR ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO ENLARGE

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5 Comments:

At 1:13 PM, December 08, 2006, Blogger Susan Wellborn said...

Obviously, I haven't been back to Monroe in a long time, but as I recall, the Smart Shop was on the corner, Anne's Dress Shop, Roger's Barbershop and then J. Howard Williams. (The barber shop may have been tucked between Anne's and the Smart Shop--just can't recall.) Beyond that, I don't recall what else, if anything was on that block. How/why was the block destroyed?

 
At 7:57 AM, December 09, 2006, Blogger Susan Wellborn said...

Margaret, Your memory is incredible! I remember all those you mentioned. We thought all the "older" kids were so with it and really looked up to them. The first year I taught school at Forest Hills in Marshville, Sue Rogers Goodwin was teaching English. We spent many an hour together with Craven Williams' mom, who taught social studies. Both were exceptional teachers. I was young and dumb and overwhelmed (Who wouldn't have been with 6 classes, 150 students, and no planning period?)and those two were real mentors to me. I'm glad you set me straight about the location of Sells Wholesale. I had it incorrectly placed on the Center Theater block.

 
At 2:56 PM, December 09, 2006, Blogger Jim Helms said...

Maybe it’s just me but I remember all those stores along that block.

I remember Mr Rogers, the haircuts, and the good-smelly hair tonic. I remember his “on-the-house” haircut for our graduation and I remember Marine Corps barbers teaching me to recognize and appreciate Mr Rogers’ talents.

I remember J. Howard Williams Company and the prizes don’t surprise me. That business always contributed back to that town. No one had a charge card in those days but every one had a charge account at J. Howard Williams Company (without the exorbitant interest rates!).

I remember the dress shop too even though I don’t remember ever going in there.

I remember Danny Rogers was in our class of 1963 but, for the life of me, I don’t have a clue who won that refrigerator.

 
At 10:55 PM, December 09, 2006, Blogger Susan Wellborn said...

Jim, I think every store in town gave folks credit before the days of plastic. We charged our groceries at Secrest Grocery (Isabelle's dad) and Five Points. You could call in your order to Five Points and they'd deliver. It's interesting that Lowe's Foods here at the beach now will take your order over the phone and have it bagged and ready for you when you arrive to pick it up. I don't know if Lowe's does this statewide or only in locations teeming with tourists, but since most of them go brain dead after they cross the ICU onto the island, I guess it's a good thing.

Margaret, no apologies necessary. I was always Sue in Monroe, although I hated it. I changed it to Susan when I went off to the University of South Carolina, probably an attempt at sophistication. Today, I answer to almost anything. What's in a name?

 
At 9:40 AM, December 11, 2006, Blogger Mary Eda said...

What fun sharing all these old memories.....and trying to hard to remember some of this!

I do remember the Smart Shop, from both of its locations. My Step-Grandmother ("Miss Pearl" Armfield McCollum) worked there for years, moving along with the store when Dr Paul Helms moved it to the Main St corner.

Another store....Margaret, you mentioned "Stellens". Wow, not sure I'd ever have been able to pull that up, but once you menioned it, I do sort of remember the name. Wasn't that the same corner shop where The Glamor Shop existed later on? (Across the little side street from Belk's).

I just remembered a funny story connected to that. Our Jr year (class of '63) the theme of JR-SR was "Mardi Gras", and someone made a contact with Glamor Shop for some much-needed mannekins, to dress in mask & costume. Well, maybe just because our family had a big old Plymouth stationwagon, somehow I drew the assignment to go pick them up.
I just remember trying to rush away (typical teenager hoping not to be seen?), carrying out the 2 or 3 naked mannekins, and driving off with their legs sticking out from the back window. (At this age now, I'd probably LOVE to be seen with such craziness!)

And, Jim.....I remember that "good-smelly hair tonic" at Charlie's barbershop, too. With two younger brothers, and limited transportation, I would always wind up sitting in there waiting on them. (Actually, I was rather taken with Charlie's production of the Buzz haircuts they always got!). Didn't know about the free graduation haircuts........how nice.
Sometimes I'd go next door and just linger outside the windows at J Howard Williams, looking at the display of china patterns picked by current brides.

Sad to realize a whole block like that is gone now.........but it seems to be living in our memories quite well.

 

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