Woolworth's Grand Opening

by Mary Jane Dougherty
(California)

4th and F street

Do you remember Woolworth's?


As I walked into Woolworth's for the first time, I saw the café on the left, makeup, and school supplies in the middle and my favorite aisle… the toy section.

Woolworth's was just a few doors down from the 4th Ave Theater, and that made it a happening place to go.

My entire family went to Woolworth's Grand Opening in Anchorage when I was in grade school.

It was back in the 60s.

The grand opening was very crowded, and I had a lot of fun walking around with my father, “Big Sammy.” He said we could walk down each aisle together and look for something that I would like to buy. We even walked downstairs, where the home furnishings and the clothes were located.

After walking back upstairs, I ran into my school friends, and they were having as much fun as my father and me. My mom and brother's and sister were also scattered throughout the store, and I wondered what their first purchase would be.

After pushing my way through the crowd, I walked down the toy aisle about half a dozen times. Then I made my decision. I kinda wish I kept what I bought because I see it now in our Antique Stores. For some reason, when I was a young girl, I loved miniatures or tiny things. I still do.

What I found in the toy section of Anchorage's Woolworths on that grand opening day was a small Barnyard decorated oval lunch box with a matching thermos. It was small and cute!

My father asked if I was certain that was what I wanted. I smiled and happily answered yes.

That was such a fun day.

Later, when I was back home, I went into the kitchen and poured hot chocolate in my thermos, packed graham crackers in wax paper, and placed them in my small new Barnyard lunch box.

Then, I went into the living room, and turned on the television. I sat down on the couch and put my new lunch box full of treats on the coffee table.

Anchorage's Woolworth store became a meeting place for me and my school friends during my growing up years and by gosh their chocolate ice cream sundaes were the best!

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