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I remember Christmas of 1969 and the two dresses I purchased from Cato’s. Catherine Sherrill was the manager of the new store that opened on Main Street in Andrews. One of the dresses was a wrap-around long sleeved in a winter white, and the other was a color block in red and white with a flounce skirt.
Do not think for a minute that you could get out of that store without buying something or putting something on layaway.
Catherine was known as an astute salesperson and could talk you into trying something on that she knew you would love. She had an eye for what would look good on you. So, I left that day with two dresses and a bright red pair of shoes with a clunky heel. I spent my whole check from District Memorial Hospital.
The store offered the newest “fad” clothing at very affordable prices, and specialized in accessories, and wigs, which was the rage in the late 1960s. Catherine had sold half the girls in high school a wig, some were short, some
were long, and many had bangs and were “frosted.” And yes, I also bought a wig that was a Dutch Boy style and it was frosted. It was a cool change from my long hair that was straight as a stick.
The Cato Company gave their managers incentives to sell and Catherine sold so many wigs that she got a new color television. Many years have passed since Catherine could be seen changing out the mannequins in the store window, and the scene on Main Street has changed and not for the best.
There were no empty stores in town and all were decorated for Christmas. I miss seeing Mrs. Ennis setting out the red sleds and snow shovels on the sidewalk, the window decorations at the Kala Jean Shop, which was the place to buy “go-go boots” from Charlotte Orr and Emogean Mathis. Millie Grigg’s quaint little shop and Lousie Rogers at the Andrews Dress Shop.
John and Linda Kennedy decorating the new drug center with plush toys, and all the gift items and perfumes as you walked in the door of Burch Drug Store.
Kate Palmer arranging her Christmas windows at Jack’s 5 &10, Grady Garrett and Pauline Jones behind the candy counter at Lay’s 5 & 10.
“Doodle” Trull setting out the Christmas fabric in the shop window, and Kate Hogsed, Lucille Bell and Ruth Roper doing the Christmas windows at Nichols Department Store. Joe El Khouri and Mrs. McKeldrey getting ready for the Christmas sale, and Mrs. Wilhide placing bows on the ring boxes at Swannie’s Jewelry Store.
We cannot forget Dennis Hughes at the Western Auto setting out all the new bicycles for the Christmas sale. And believe it or not, we had two new car dealerships, one on each end of town, Boring Chevrolet and Reece Motor Company, where Wade, J.V. and Chub Brooks made sure the new mustangs were parked out front.
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.