Not too far from our home, growing up, was an industrial area, fondly known as "The Factories." Within the factories were some small shops, some company stores, and large parking lots. It was also a place where probably most families had at least one person work on the conveyor line for Whitman's at one time or another, which was a packaging company for Estee Lauder and Clinque.
My friends and I would roller skate in the large parking lots. We would scavenger for make-up defects and other factory defects that were like finding treasure for us. When we went through our clothes making phase, we would rummage for excess fabric. Among the small shops in the area, was a dollhouse miniatures store. I don't even remember the name. I'm not sure I ever knew the name. But at fourteen years old I got a job there! One side of the business sold gorgeous dollhouses and miniatures. Years earlier, my Mom had built and decorated dollhouses with my older sister and our neighbor and frequented this shop to get ideas and the occasional piece on sale.
The other side of the business sold various nicknacks and wedding favors. Candle sticks, picture frames, vases, you name it. Brides-to-be would order them by the hundreds, and my job was to put them into little boxes and gift wrap them in the paper or cellophane of their choosing. I learned how to curl the ribbons, and I also took their print orders for the personalized ribbons that I would eventually tie on to mark the date of their occasion. I worked about twenty hours a week. It was especially fun because my sister was planning her own wedding around this time, and I could see what other people were doing.
The cash register was run by a nineteen year old, I can best describe as Peggy from the old show Married with Children. She wore tight sweaters, tight pants, heels and had the same vibrant red hair. She would just share all her dating drama and gossip with me. I'd snack on wedding almonds, as if they were popcorn, listening to what were glamorous stories for a fourteen year old. She was also a nail technician on the side. This is how I ended up with 1.5 inch acrylic nails airbrushed with elaborate designs throughout my high school years.
I worked at this anonymous business until I was sixteen and my employment options opened up.
Join us again next week for Episode 3 - Shoe Store Robbery
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