My Woolworth's LUNCH COUNTER

[@Myfootage]

In Philadelphia, Woolworths was on Chestnut Street, near Broad St. At the Lunch counter there were several clusters of brightly colored balloons for the Banana Split special. You'd get to pop a fortune balloon to determine your ice cream delight's price inside. You'd also be entitled to a free Hot Fudge Sundae, on your birthday. The grill was always hot and seasoned, tasty food served on demand. What great relics these are Randy. The poles remind me of an old trolley, more than the pokey.

[@bobbyb2952]

When I was younger we always went to the Woolworths that was ON Broad, between Snyder and McKean. I have fond memories of that store

[@DeadKoby]

Once upon a time, there was a Woolworth's at Midway Mall in Elyria OH. As a kid, I recall going there. Also, some K-marts had a lunch counter too.... I remember those also.

[@alfreddill3251]

Fantastic video Randy! So awesome that you would post this today, a coincidence for me in a way. I don't recall having ever visited Woolworth's, but I used to frequent the lunch counter at Kresge's 5 and 10 in Old Bridge, there, I was introduced my first hot open-faced turkey sandwich. As a tradition, the day after Thanksgiving, I always make that sandwich and it brings me back. I couldn't wait till lunch or dinner, so I made it this morning and sat down to watch your video. I so loved the old lunch counters. It was at Kmart in East Brunswick that I had my first taste of chili con carne. Have a wonderful holiday season.

[@MainStreetRANDYLAND]

Kresge's became Kress, and finally K Mart. Those old time stores which became national, were wonderful in their beginnings. Newark seemed to be a mecca for those beginnings. I am old enough to have been in them before they became too large to really offer the same experience as they did when they were getting big. As goes everything I think; when you become too big, you lose that touch with what you once were which made you special. Things become cold and routine. And those who once lived the dream making it special, can no longer enjoy the operations, as they become separated, sitting in Corporate offices, having meetings and making deals, instead of being on the operations floor. The World has become to hard to compete with national distribution... And what national chains did to the small and regional retailers, is happening again with online mega giants... Everything becomes cold and without feeling. Even all the pick up numbered spots in parking lots like Wal-Mart, push towards just getting what you buy and never having to actually go inside. Franchise out any food options to a chain who will charge big money for a pretzel or a sandwich... Forget the fun, and simplicity... Just scan your own stuff, hand over the money by swiping the card, and get out.

[@alfreddill3251]

I am so grateful for you Randy. Thank you for taking the time to write. Thank you for your wonderful videos that we all look forward to. @@MainStreetRANDYLAND

[@genghispecan]

Interesting video. I remember Woolworth's, we had one near my home GA when I was young (next to a Woolco - their version of K-Mart). I remember eating at the Woolworth's Luncheonette often. It was next to a small movie theater and I often walked or biked to the theater and had something to eat before or after a movie - they had banana splits for .75. The local drugstores also maintained their own lunch counters up through the early or mid 80's - they always had the best (crinkle) fries. People used to eat there all the time from neighboring businesses before the explosion in fast food and casual dining beginning in the late 70's.

[@georgemount8320]

I remember the one in quakerbridge mall years ago. Was between 5 and 10 at the time. Def so many yrs ago. Shame there gone.

[@Milocat-v3g]

i would love that food....it was such a calming atmosphere and fun. my local Woolworths has a few pinball machines also. Now it would be a zoo atmosphere people would never sit that close together and the service would be a mess. Ok but the best would be sears hot dogs always went to sears with my mother and had to get a hot dog usually in the basement of the store....You can smell them cooking as soon as you entered the store and of course a "grape" drink. I still like hot dogs on the roller cooker, i usually like the one well done or i say with the most miles on them.😀

[@j.r.murphy6381]

My grandfather had the fountain from his drug store in his basement at the house when he took it out from the store. Great fun for us kids😊

[@joecampbell7719]

What a coincidence that i was actually eating pumpkin pie while watching this! Great video keep up the great work!

[@Bionic_Fonzie]

I want to come down and do a sit-in at your lunch counter until they allow you to open!

[@KenMabie]

Aye I used to live on Town Bank Road in Cape May !

[@killerpimp01]

Great video as always! I don't know if I missed it in another video, but what is the story behind the plastic Randy heads?

[@MainStreetRANDYLAND]

You must have missed videos... The Randy is the Mickey Mouse icon of Randyland. Theme identification

[@chriscookesuffolk]

My mother in law can't say no to a bargain, she arrived as the closing down sale was wrapping up and with little on offer she ended up buying a dozen or so of the empty shelves. She still insists they might be useful ...

[@paulsworkshop4179]

Every time I see Randyland I get pissed off at the officials in your town. All they had to do if they wanted to maintain their no arcade rule is give a variance for historical presentations. They seriously are missing an opportunity to capitalize on the history you have there.

[@MainStreetRANDYLAND]

Much hate in this town; many evil hearts in evil people. Envy rules, and spite drives the actions. Blindness even keeps the others in the circle of good old boys from seeing themselves for what they are, and what they do and have done.

[@MelissaHartTheBicth]

rare

[@ulexite-tv]

I remember picketing Woolworth's with my mother and her radical leftist friends ion Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, California, in sympathy with the national civil rights movement.