Remembering Woolworth's: A Nostalgic History of the World's Most Famous Five-and-Dime [Hardcover]

Karen Plunkett-Powell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312206704 | ISBN-13: 978-0312206703 | Publication Date: December 3, 1999 | Edition: 1st

Millions of Americans have fond memories of shopping at Woolworth's, wandering the aisles in search of a humble spool Woolco thread, festive Christmas decorations, a goldfish or parakeet, or a blue bottle of Evening in Paris perfume. And who could forget the special treat of grilled-cheese sandwich or ice-cream sundae at the famous lunch counter?

These and countless other memories are celebrated in Remembering Woolworth's. Packed with photos, first-hand remembrances, vivid anecdotes, and a lively, well-researched narrative, the book tells the story of how a poor potato farmer named Frank Woolworth created a merchandising empire that touched the lives of Americans in small towns, big cities, and everywhere in between. Chapters cover the store's humble beginnings, surviving the Great Depression, the civil rights sit-ins, Woolworth's around the globe, the popularity of Woolworth's collectibles, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In our age of nationwide discount retailers, Remembering Woolworth's: A Nostalgic History of the World's Most Famous Five-and-Dime provides an entertaining look back at one of retail's most successful pioneers, F.W. Woolworth, and his empire of department stores that defined the shopping experience for millions over the course of its 118-year existence. Woolworth, considered by his first boss to be the "worst salesman in the world," overcame repeated failure and financial hardship to open his first store in 1879 in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania. Through trial and error, the young Woolworth learned that selling large quantities of low-priced merchandise led to profit. Insightfully, Woolworth made his customers feel "rich"--and generated immense customer loyalty by offering products at affordable, nickel-and-dime prices. The Woolworth Building in lower Manhattan, the tallest in the world upon its completion in 1913, embodied the strength of the retail empire that, at its peak, consisted of over 10,000 stores worldwide. The corporation was eventually sold in 1997.

Remembering Woolworth's combines personal testimony, black-and-white and color photos, and period graphics to create a friendly, scrapbook feel. Karen Plunkett-Powell adeptly explores the personal and professional sides of F.W. Woolworth and the success of his "Red-Fronts" both domestically and abroad. She is at her best, however, in recapturing the particulars of the Woolworth shopping experience: the counter girls, seasonal traditions, collectibles, and lunch counters. At times historically light and colloquial, Remembering Woolworth's nevertheless brings back to life one of retail's most influential entrepreneurs and one of the world's most endearing department stores. --Bertina Loeffler-Sedlack

From Library Journal

The rags-to-riches story of Frank Winfield Woolworth and his worldwide chain came to an end in 1997, as the last of the Woolworth's stores closed their doors after 118 years of operation. Across America, this closing had a huge emotional impact on countless shoppers accustomed to the finery of the five and dime, a concept of merchandising invented by Woolworth. Plunkett-Powell (The Nancy Drew Scrapbook) presents a colorful, nostalgic remembrance of this fascinating business, from its beginnings in 1879 through the Depression and the war years, the tumultuous Sixties and the pivotal Civil Rights lunch counter sit-ins, to its latter days of redirection and ultimate finale. While an economic analysis of the retailing empire's rise and fall is definitely lacking, this warmly written treatise will serve all public libraries, especially in those communities that can still recall when their own red-front Woolworth's was open.
-Dale F. Farris, Groves, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (December 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312206704
• ISBN-13: 978-0312206703
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings the whole Woolworth's story alive!, November 26, 1999

By 

Susan Woolley (Asbury Park, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remembering Woolworth's: A Nostalgic History of the World's Most Famous Five-and-Dime (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book! There is a tremendous amount of fascinating detail as well as many wonderful pictures. The "time capsule memories" are especially gripping. And I was amazed to learn that Frank W. Woolworth's 7 business tips, the key to his success, are still relevant today. I liked this book very much and highly recommend it!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take a trip down memory lane - thanks to Ms. Plunkett-Powell, December 19, 1999

By 

Sue Fox (Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remembering Woolworth's: A Nostalgic History of the World's Most Famous Five-and-Dime (Hardcover)

Ms. Karen Plunkett-Powell's book is a joy to read, with great pictures. It follows the rise and fall of Woolworth's; sharing behind-the-scenes history that most people wouldn't know. BUT MOST IMPORTANT -- it brought back more memories than I realized I had forgotten of my child and teenage years and reminded me of just how many important things my family (and probably yours!) purchased from Woolworth's. My Woolworth's was in downtown Bradenton Florida, but reading the book I realized that people all over the USA and some foreign countries have many of the same memories that I do of Woolworth's -- parakeets, goldfish and hamsters, coke-floats and grilled cheese sandwiches, the 25-cent photo booth, parfume and cosmetics, the candy counter, comic books, my first watch, my first musical jewelry box, seasonal clothing, hula-hoops and batons, tennis shoes and flip-flop sandals, portable typewriters, play guns and dolls -- but most of all, Woolworth's was our Christmas Store. As the daughter of a 29-year Woolworth's saleslady, Woolworth's was where I wandered as a child, searching out all the things I hoped Santa would bring. Revive your memories -- this book sure is a trip down memory lane! Highly Recommended!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A particularly readable book!, December 6, 1999

By 

Donna Steinhorn "Life and Executive Coach" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remembering Woolworth's: A Nostalgic History of the World's Most Famous Five-and-Dime (Hardcover)

Remembering Woolworth's is full of history, photos and memories of the old stores. It is a particularly readable book, and I especially enjoyed reading about the Woolworth store's overseas, as well as about Frank Woolworth's early years as a struggling merchant. I recommend this book for anyone who ever stepped foot inside a Woolworth's, or for those interested in how one man's ideas changed the world of retailing.