I remember when the last "Wools-woith's" store in New Orleans finally closed. "Seems like yesterday," but I'm sure it's been several years.

I remember that they all smelled the same, whether at Canal and Bourbon in New Orleans, on West Front Street in Plainfield NJ, or anywhere in the country. It must have had something to do with that candy counter always sited in the center of the main floor, plus the lunch counter over against one of the side walls.

On the trad-jazz radio program I heard this morning in the car on the way to work, the DJ played a version of "I Met My Million Dollar Baby in the Five and Ten Cent Store," and then commented, "I don't think I've ever been in a five-and-ten cent store." That's when I knew the guy was younger than me!