It's fairly fascinating seeing what you could buy for a buck back then: Interwoven socks, a Regal summer tie. Moving up in price slightly, a dollar fifty could get you a Hickok leather belt, billfold, key case, jewelry box or briefcase; matching Hickok gold or silver plated cuff links and tie bars.
At the high end price-wise was an RCA personal TV set with a 32 sq. in. screen for $125 or an 18" power mower by Penn ACCO for $79.95.
There are a few items that are slightly less but still expensive: Elgin and Bulova watches at $33.75 to $75; a Motorola portable radio for $34.95.
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I'm afraid my father never made out too well on Father's Day. As kids, we probably just signed a card that Mom bought for us to give him. Dad didn't really have any hobbies, so there was nothing special or fun to get him. I only remember boring gifts like handkerchiefs (which he always carried). It wasn't until my siblings and I were grown up that we actually bought him something. In later years, I usually got him a book, since he was a voracious reader. He particularly liked Tom Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation and the follow-up book, The Greatest Generation Speaks.
Hi Dan - it’s interesting that none of the gift items have store names…choosing to promote the shopping center rather than individual stores. Pretty smart move making the customer shop different stores to find the items. Todd
ReplyDeleteHi Todd, you're right that it is interesting (or strange) that there are no real store names. I noticed this before on another Homewood Shopping Center post. I guess I was hoping that someone would remember if it was just one, big store there. Dan B.
ReplyDeleteI'm very partial to those giant head illustrations. This is a great example.
ReplyDeleteHow long was Homewood Shopping Center in operation? I remember Oakwood, but not this.
ReplyDeleteI researched this tonight, Alan! I'll have an answer for you on Monday's post!
DeleteY'know... I don't recall, as a child, *ever* giving Dad a gift for Father's Day. In fact, I don't recall Father's Day ever being mentioned. That would've been about par for the course with him since all he ever asked for at Christmas was for all of us to be nice to him and remember him when he was gone. Which I suppose we did, and I am.
ReplyDeleteAnd so,,, Happy day to all you folks who have fathers. Either be nice to them, or remember them, now they're gone.