Reed's Remember Five & Dime Stores

Remember when your mom used to take you to the 5 and 10 (five and dime)? When I was knee high to a grasshopper I remember going downtown to the five and dime on Main St. You know the stores and I'm sure you have a special memory of one.

Going in the store you would feel it was a place your Grandpa used to visit. The old display cases of glass with wood frames, the wood planking floor, jars of candy and the toys in the back. Remember hearing the ka-ching of the cash register (vice beep beep)? It had shoes, toys, bolts of cloth and more. Mine had a loft area you could go up into and find more treasures. Ah, I remember that store and being in it with my mom.

Today, there really is no equivalent in most places you live. So it is hard to relive that experience with my children. But, I've found something close. The local hardware store that still has nails in bins and you buy them by the pound! There's even dust on some items probably older than me. They have everything.

I take my kids in there and it is great. I'm looking for that certain 3/4" shut-off valve and they're looking at all the old knick-knacks. They find mini flashlights, small pocket knives, key rings, little key chain hooks and more. I hope they remember that store.

So, next time you're out and about in a small town, stop in the old hardware store. If they have a five and dime you've hit the jack pot! Stop in and say I remember when ...