Max, I can remember as a little girl when we were living on 40th Street and Grandmomma would say that we were going downtown to do a little shopping and have some lunch just how excited I would feel. This meant that you were going to get all dressed up in a really pretty dress, wear your black patent leather Mary Jane shoes with your best little white socks, and of course you would carry your purse to match your shoes. Your white gloves were a must. You always wore or carried your white cotton gloves. Of course if we were in the spring or summer months then we would wear a little white pinafore with white patent shoes or sandals.
It was so exciting to get all dressed up . Felt soooo special, all grown up just like my momma. We would usually start out in the morning by walking across Abercorn Street to wait for the bus. I loved riding the bus. The ride downtown would take us past some of my friends' houses that lived on Abercorn and if you happened to see them out playing, well, that was so exciting because you would wave and then talk about having seen each other when you would get to school on Monday. Of course you would want to know all about their day—where they shopped, what they bought, and of course where and what they had for lunch.
You would have the route memorized and when you would reach the last square just before Broughton Street you knew it was almost time to get off the bus and start your shopping.
You know, Max, back then Grandma always paid our way on the bus with tokens. It seems you could get six tokens for a quarter. Maybe it was three but I think it was six. I can remember when I was finally old enough to pay the driver with my very on token, well-------I really felt so grown up. My smile was probably as broad as the bus was wide as I would turn to walk down the aisle to choose a seat, always by the window of course.
Well, anyway, once we were on Broughton, it seemed our first
stop was the Adler's Department Store. Oh Max,
I just loved going into Adler's. It was so beautiful. They had everything
a girl could want in there. Beautiful clothes and shoes for my mom, fine
linens for bed and bath, nice clothes for men, notions, perfume and make-up,
children's department, just everything you could think of. You know what
I can still remember to this day, Max? The wonderful smell of Adler's when
you would go through the door. It was so fresh and wonderful. Wonder if it
was because the ladies' perfume and make-up were sold close by or if it was
just a combination of everything in the store.
You know, Max, in the mid-50s there was a terrible fire in Adler's and it did so much awful damage. Made everybody in town just heartsick. I believe they re-opened, but I'm just not sure.
Well, I sure did love Adler's and so did Grandmomma (pictured at left). I also remember the elevators. There was a lady that would operate the elevator for you. She would manually have to close both doors. One was the big main door that you would see on the outside and then there was another one on the inside. She always wore white gloves, a skirt and jacket, and black leather, very practical, low-heeled shoes. I guess 'cause she had to do a lot of standing. Of course, the seams in her stockings were always perfectly straight. You would never leave the house without the seams in your stockings being perfectly straight.
I got to thinking a little earlier about some of the photos that I have here. I came across one taken with Grandmomma Adele when we were shopping downtown on Broughton Street when I was a little girl. Back in the late 40s and early-to-mid 50s, there were gentleman photographers on the street. Always dressed quite nicely in a suit and tie, and they would take your photograph while you were walking down the street, and then they would try to get you to buy it. We have three or four that were taken down there. Maybe I'll send one to you.
I used to love to go to Anton's restaurant when we were shopping. They had absolutely the very best CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE in the world. And the old Fine's Store for ladies. They had such fine quality clothing for ladies. That's where I bought my wedding dress. Still love it to this day.
(also see Savannah Morning News 7/25/97)
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