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Remember Ben Franklin, parking meters, and old Searcy AR from 50's.

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Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

Ben Franklin store Searcy AR downtown picture historic

Remember Ben Franklin?

This old postcard on ebay brings back memories.  There in the middle of the block stands the Ben Franklin store and then somewhere around the block was the Sterling's store.  Were they both what we called "Dime" stores back then?   I believe the store to the left of Ben Franklin's was a shoe store and there's Security Bank on the corner.  Cars were colorful then vs. ones today.

The old parking meters do bring back memories.  Wasn't there a job for a person to go around and mark how long a vehicle had been parked?  You could get a ticket!

Now a question.....what was that tall thing way back in the picture?  It would be down close to Spring Park but I can't remember anything like that.  Perhaps it is actually a sign attached to what is now Quattlebaum's Music?   Searcy Sleuths will remember!  

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Don Thompson
Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

Barbara, they were called Five And Dime Stores.

There was also Snowdens which was closer than Sterlings which was

two blocks South near the Plaza Theater.

Aug 04, 2021 01:04 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

Thanks, Don.  So Searcy had 3 Dime stores (the name was always shortened wasn't it?) within just a small area.  What was the thing in the background?

Aug 04, 2021 05:44 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Barbara - while I don't recall Ben Franklin, I became acquainted with the stores by reading about them in preparation for years in the retailing industry.  It can be enjoyable at times to look back at the "old days" as life continues to move forward.  

Aug 05, 2021 05:54 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

When I was a kid, we had a Ben Franklin store about 2 blocks from home.  I spent a lot of time there.

Aug 05, 2021 07:23 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Barbara, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Aug 05, 2021 07:23 AM
Barbara S. Duncan

How nice!  Thanks!

Aug 05, 2021 06:32 PM
Don Thompson
Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

Barbara, Most folks just said Sterlings, Snowdens, and Ben Franklin. I never heard them referred to as Five and Dime. I guess it's possible folks said just "dime" store without the five.

Aug 05, 2021 12:53 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

Absolutely, Don.  Especially folks who lived out in the boonies didn't remember store names.  They just told their kids they could have a dime to spend at the "dime store."  This is the way I remember my poor Georgia Saturday visits to the big towns.

Aug 05, 2021 06:35 PM
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