The Store
Daddy’s store was located on the south
side of the Courthouse Square. His was one of the few
places clothes could be purchased. These were mostly
overalls, simple print dresses, and what we called overall
pants. He also sold cosmetics, toiletries, shoes, school
supplies. toys and novelties.
Although he kept the store open everyday except Sunday,
most of the sales were made on Saturday. There was no
specific closing time on Saturday, just when the crowd went
home which was usually quite late. Often Mother helped in
the store on Saturday and I stayed with them until closing,
usually going to sleep. I’d wake up on Sunday morning at
home having been carried there the night before by one of
my parents.
It was common for those operating businesses to wear a tie
and suit. It might be the same tie and suit each day but
overalls, which most farmers and other workers wore, were
not appropriate. Most men also wore wool hats no matter how
they dressed.
One early Sunday morning we were awakened by a man wanting
my daddy to open the store to sell him some clothes. He
said he had to go to a funeral and didn’t have anything to
wear. Daddy put on his usual attire, the suit and tie, and
went with him to the store. Money was scarce and every
opportunity to make a sale was important.
After seeing that there were no dress-up clothes available,
the man said, “ I really need something like what you are
wearing.”
Daddy arrived back home after about an hour wearing a pair
of overalls.
Brown's 5¢ and $1.00 Store
(notice sign over dresses 96¢)