June Ahern's Blog - Posts Tagged "mist-of-avalon"
Shopping at San Francisco's Woolworth Store
Having had lived in San Francisco since 1956 I find it a fascinating city for it's picturesque hills and valleys, and waterways and therefore set my story about a Scottish immigrant family in the city.
Growing up in San Francisco some of my most enjoyable memories were trips downtown to shop at Woolworth’s Department Store. The building was on Market Street and wrapped around and up Powell Street. Woolworth was such a San Francisco experience that I just had to include it my book, The Skye in June. See an excerpt below.
The store was filled with just about everything you'd ever want to find; clothing, beauty products, sewing goods,inexpensive jewelry, so much stuff!
Perfect for Christmas shopping where my money would be spent carefully. I’d jump on the number 8 Castro bus at 19th and Castro with usually a sister or two and head downtown for fun. My wallet would be filled with money saved from babysitting. The first floor was tight to walk with aisles or counters and in the basement was Budgies, Canaries and gold fish –– gifts I bought at one time or another for family. It took hours to shop. At the end of the shopping I’d go upstairs to the lunch counter –– always busy –– for a Patti-melt and milkshake or a burger and coke. Afterward, if there was time, we would take a cable car ride (no lines back then - just hop on.)
From "The Skye in June"
The grinding noise of the cable car’s brakes as it slowed to their stop was ear piercing. June stood and took hold of the metal pole. She swayed outward as she readied herself to jump from the platform when they reached the intersection of Powell at Market Streets. The thrill of hanging out of the cable car and the feel of the brisk wind against her face had charged her energy. She felt a sense of freedom. As they lurched to a stop, she hopped off and hollered to her mother, “Did you get a transfer?”Cathy nodded a “yes,” and gingerly stretched out a foot to get down from the cable car. June took hold of her hand to help her mother. Arm in arm, they walked over to the Woolworth’s department store on Market Street to look at the items for sale in the window.
Please read more chapter excerpts www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
Growing up in San Francisco some of my most enjoyable memories were trips downtown to shop at Woolworth’s Department Store. The building was on Market Street and wrapped around and up Powell Street. Woolworth was such a San Francisco experience that I just had to include it my book, The Skye in June. See an excerpt below.
The store was filled with just about everything you'd ever want to find; clothing, beauty products, sewing goods,inexpensive jewelry, so much stuff!
Perfect for Christmas shopping where my money would be spent carefully. I’d jump on the number 8 Castro bus at 19th and Castro with usually a sister or two and head downtown for fun. My wallet would be filled with money saved from babysitting. The first floor was tight to walk with aisles or counters and in the basement was Budgies, Canaries and gold fish –– gifts I bought at one time or another for family. It took hours to shop. At the end of the shopping I’d go upstairs to the lunch counter –– always busy –– for a Patti-melt and milkshake or a burger and coke. Afterward, if there was time, we would take a cable car ride (no lines back then - just hop on.)
From "The Skye in June"
The grinding noise of the cable car’s brakes as it slowed to their stop was ear piercing. June stood and took hold of the metal pole. She swayed outward as she readied herself to jump from the platform when they reached the intersection of Powell at Market Streets. The thrill of hanging out of the cable car and the feel of the brisk wind against her face had charged her energy. She felt a sense of freedom. As they lurched to a stop, she hopped off and hollered to her mother, “Did you get a transfer?”Cathy nodded a “yes,” and gingerly stretched out a foot to get down from the cable car. June took hold of her hand to help her mother. Arm in arm, they walked over to the Woolworth’s department store on Market Street to look at the items for sale in the window.
Please read more chapter excerpts www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
