Nostalgic Recollections of Childhood Shops: Helicopter Balloons, Candy, and Books
Looking back, some of the fondest childhood memories are of my father taking me and my siblings to local shops. These trips were not just about running errands, but about experiencing something magical, even at the young age of 4 or 5. My father was a constant presence in my childhood, making trips to the florist and toy shop a cherished event as he bought us helium balloons. One of my favorite balloons was heart-shaped and decorated with E.T. It’s a little fuzzy on the details, but I remember being amazed by the intricacies of the shop inside an indoor mall in the Phoenix area.
The Hudson’s Christmas Shop
As a child in Detroit, Michigan, one of the highlights of my summer was the Hudson’s Christmas Shop, a magical place but one that existed just for children only. It was an early 1960s treat, a blend of excitement and nostalgia. The shop was filled with large glass display cases that were overflowing with candy and licorice, comic books, and magazines. One could spend hours browsing through favorites like Mandrake the Merman, Terry and the Pirates, Amazing Stories, Little Lulu, Superman, Classic Comics, Tales of Horror, Sad Sack, and Ghost Rider. There was also a cooler chest filled with vibrant 5-cent sodas like Coke, Orange Crush, Cream Soda, Root Beer.
The thunk of the 5-cent coin dropping and then feeling the cold, fizzy soda as it was extracted was a perfect encapsulation of that era. Other delights included Gum, Mallow Peanuts, Fireballs, Eatmore Bars, Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp, Turkish Delight, and Butterscotch Dixie Cup Ice Cream. The air was saturated with the aroma of freshly unwrapped treats, a sensory reminder of why that shop was such a beloved piece of childhood.
A Tribute to Dad and Books
When my parents split up, I was sent to stay with my father for two weeks every summer. This was no small change, as it meant leaving the fresh air and cool temperatures of Fawnskin, California, and moving to the smog-filled, hot suburbs of Pasadena. The loss of freedom in the new environment was a stark contrast to the carefree days by Big Bear Lake, riding horses, exploring the canyons, and reading by the lake’s dock. However, books were my solace, and I turned to a local bookstore and art supply shop, Vroman’s, as an escape.
Vroman’s was a two-story building, and I would dive straight upstairs to the section packed with paperbacks and art supplies. Over the years, I saved my pennies to buy books there, spending hours absorbing the vast array of books. I had a particular fondness for natural history books, as well as mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and Western novels, which were in stark contrast to the chosen titles of my contemporaries who still read Nancy Drew books.
The weight of the books I brought home always tested my physical strength, and the assortment of stories was always sorted by author and date, starting with the earliest works and progressing through time. Books became my sanctuary, allowing me to explore a world of wonders vast and varied, far beyond the confines of the concrete and buildings of the suburban landscape.
Conclusion
These shops and the memories associated with them have left a lasting imprint on my psyche. Whether it was the helium balloons, the candy, or the books, these small details from childhood are the threads that tie together the magic of those days. They serve as a reminder of the joys and challenges of growing up, and the timeless wonder of a child's imagination.