Oh, this is hard to believe. She always seemed so young - I thought she'd live forever. I've loved her singing so much. She took me through some hard times. I saw her perform only once, at an outdoor concert in Oregon in about 1990. Rest easy, Nanci. We'll miss you. You were part of the heart of our lives. I thought of you every time I saw a rusty Ford Econoline van. I thought of you when I was on the adventure of driving Highway 90, the Gulf Coast Highway - on my way to move my sister to her last home before she died. I thought of you every time I passed a place that used to be a Woolworth's store.
Thread #117054 Message #2518071 Posted By: Joe Offer 17-Dec-08 - 01:45 PM Thread Name: BS: All (UK) Woolworths stores to close Subject: ADD: Love at the Five and Dime (Nanci Griffith)
The Woolworth Building is an architectural delight. I used to treasure my set of Woolworth dominoes, that had the image of the Woolworth Building embossed on every piece.
Woolworth's was gone from most places in Wisconsin by the time I left Wisconsin in 1970. I was stationed in Berlin 1972-73, and the Woolworth (no apostrophe-s) stores there seemed to be very prosperous. No lunch counters in the Berlin stores, though.
There was still a Woolworth's in Sacramento when I moved there in 1973. I think it closed in the 1980's. I remember the U.S. stores as being a little seedy, while the German Woolworth stores were shiny and clean. Since I was born in Detroit, I always thought Kresge was the best five-and-dime store.
Reminds me of one of my favorite songs:
LOVE AT THE FIVE AND DIME (Nanci Griffith)
Rita was sixteen years... hazel eyes and chestnut hair she made the Woolworth counter shine Eddie was a sweet romancer, and a darn good dancer they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
(chorus) They'd sing, "Dance a little closer to me... dance a little closer now Dance a little closer tonight Dance a little closer to me... it's closing time And love's on sale tonight at this five and dime Eddie played the steel guitar and his mama cried 'cuz he played in the bars And kept young Rita out late at night So, they married up in Abilene... lost a child in Tennessee still, that love survived
(repeat chorus)
One of the boys in Eddie's band... took a shine to Rita's hands so, Eddie ran off with the bass man's wife Oh' but he was back by June... singin' a different tune And sportin' Miss Rita back by his side
(repeat chorus){He sang}
Eddie travelled with the barroom bands... till arthritis took his hands now he sells insurance on the side Rita's got a house to keep... dimestore novels and a love so sweet they dance to the radio late at night
(repeat chorus) (repeat 1st verse)
they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime they'd waltz the aisles of the five and dime
Here's the Wikipedia article on the company. All that's left of Woolworth's in the U.S., is the Foot Locker chain of sporting goods stores. www.woolworth.com leads to Foot Locker. -Joe-