There was a loud blast from the horn in the high school and a cheer from the students in Dublin. It was lunch time. The “Little Store” across from the high school was a prime destination for some. When you would walk in the front door there was a jukebox in the back corner. It was probably playing a favorite tune.
The candy counter was a favorite destination for some. A wooden step up in front of the candy counter enabled elementary school kids to see all the delicious candies inside. Kids would take their coin and tap on the glass top to get the attention of the attendant. There was always a big selection to choose from. There was gum, jaw breakers, a powder flavoring in a straw. Junior mints were in a small box. Part of the decision process was how much money you had and deciding how sticky your hands would get while eating the candies. Pencils sold for 3 cents each or 2 for a nickel. I remember I had a nickel one day and I was pencil rich!
The store was well known for their 15 cent hamburgers. Apparently, the price stayed at 15 cents for a long time. There was plenty of mustard on them, so I remember that tangy taste. Soft drinks were a nickel. Then in the late 1950s, the price of soft drinks started going up, first to 6 cents, then 7 cents, then a dime. What an outrage! A bag of Fritos sold for 5 cents. A Frito pie with chili and onions was a favorite for some.
Students would sit on the rock fence and eat their lunch. Stories were exchanged and friendships were made. It was the community meeting place for the students at that time. Sometimes a spur of the moment football game would happen on the front lawn or a game of tag. It was a chance to stretch your legs.
The Little Store was run by Fanny Chambers. When she would buy boxes of bubble gum to put in the candy display, included in the box was a melmac plate, cup, bowl or saucer. Those were customer loyalty gifts from the manufacturer. After selling all those boxes of bubble gum, the family still has several sets of the dinnerware.
The family says the store was built by H. G. Chambers around 1947. There was a 3 room apartment on the second floor, but the Chambers never lived in it. It was sometimes rented out.
In the 30s and 40s, there was another school store across the street from the elementary school. The Dublin Progress says they painted a crosswalk from the front gate of the elementary school to that store to keep young students safe. (Dublin Progress, March 4, 1938) The elementary school store was different from the one at the high school. It sold school supplies along with hamburgers and candy. It was managed by Mrs. Baldwin and her daughter Catherine. Catherine Baldwin would later manage the Winns store downtown. I am told that she had her favorite students. She would keep candy hidden and would offer it to those special students when they would come in. Bicycles were not parked on the school grounds, but were parked across the street next to the store.
A 1938 aerial photo of Dublin shows no houses across the street from the elementary school. When houses were eventually built, the elementary school store must have been torn down. The Dublin 1941 yearbook also shows a small rock store called The Lions Den.
Lunch time was always busy at the Little Store. Then sure enough, there was the loud blast from the horn. Time was up. Get back to class. The campus was clean. We were safe. It was a great time. Meet you here tomorrow? Sure.