Kitchen Trivia At Mama’s Treasures #4 Do you remember Dime Stores? The places we would spend hours dreaming over glassware, jewelry and movie magazines ?
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - Do you remember Dime Stores? The places we would spend hours dreaming over glassware, jewelry and movie magazines ? I have been taking a nostalgic trip back to my Woolworth and Ben Franklin Days when I aspired to be a Dime Store Clerk. I didn’t think anyone could have a more glamorous job. I am fascinated by trivia that is related to the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s era, and especially the kitchen. I thought I would share a few of my most recently learned facts about the history of Dime Store Glass. All of these great facts can be found in the book, “Depression Era Dime Store Glass”, Schiffer Publications,
1999, by C.L. Miller.
...in 1880, the five-and-ten cent stores had a reputation as being the poor person’s department store.
...At Kresge’s, the policy of “Nothing Over 10 cents In store” prevailed until World War I, when inflation finally forced prices up.
...It was estimated that between 75 to 95 percent of the business was with women, and a location distasteful to women hindered sales.
...Proximity to a pool room, barber shop, or places where men congregated....detracted from the value of a location.
...the best type of “Salesgirls” were girls who lived at home and were not altogether dependent on employment for their financial existence.
...”Moonstone” was a line of expensive looking glassware in the Early American Hobnail pattern made by the Anchor Hocking Glass Company of Lancaster, Ohio....advertising noted that “Dime store counters were not complete unless they included “Moonstone.”
...Fire King Tulip, Red Dot and Black Dot nesting bowl sets sold for $2.95.
...a ten piece Blue Sapphire Ovenware set consisting of one 1 1/2 quart casserole, two 8 3/8” pie plates, and six 6 oz. individual bakers sold for $1.00.
... In 1942 Kontanerettes sold by Indiana Glass came in four sizes of jars with a revolving, ball-bearing tray. 3 jar set $.85; 4 jar set $1.00; 5 jar set $2.50; 6 jar set $3.50.
...In 1941 a 17 piece Home Baker set of Pyrex Bakeware sold for $2.95.
...In 1954 Pyrex bakeware was made in colors to match the dinnerware. the four colors were Flamingo, Lime, Turquoise, and Dove Gray.
...Matched crystal stemware wasshipped from facilities in West Virginia. No company trademark was provided. this stemware was a fine quality, clear, thin-blown crystal.....beautifully cut and smartly styled.
Mama’s Treasures is a great place to browse and find many of your dime store memories. Remember that kitchens are fun places as well as functional. Come visit us for all kinds of kitchen items that will bring back memories and put a smile on your face. If you care to
shop and buy while you are there, that’s okay too. We’ll be having a valentine’s Day Sale from February 3rd through the 15th. Everything in the store will be 20% off except for gift certificates. The sale does include already reduced and sale items.
If the kitchen isn’t your thing, we have lots of Advertising, Primitives, Christmas, China
