Last Friday was a GIRLZ DAY for my friends and I. Reason: no
school – spring break – everyone’s in Myrtle Beach. One girlfriend is a school
bus monitor and she had the whole week off. Other friend has only Fridays off.
Hence, our GIRLZ DAY was scheduled for Friday, April 5th.
It was a beautiful, sunny day to take a drive through the
countryside. Our plan was to drive west from Rochester to the little town of
East Aurora. That town boasts an old fashioned 5 and 10 cent store. I would say
they carry just about everything. Kitchen goods, craft items, floral shop,
tchotzkes galore. And one floor up: tons of
toys, make-up, old fashioned candy (all candies you used to buy for a
penny on your way to school in the dark ages). They have garden stuff, books,
paper and stationary, pet things, wall art, candles and décor items, purses,
jackets, jewelry, greeting cards. I’m sure that’s just a partial list which I
recall in my mental walk through the store.
Before we ever made landfall at Vidler’s, we drove through
beautiful countryside. Hills, valleys, farms, windmills. It’s a 90 minute drive
from Rochester. I understand it’s also a 90 minute drive from Toronto, so if
you live there, it’s worth the trip.
Of course, when we arrived in East Aurora, we were starving.
So the first stop was at Charlie’s Diner for a lovely lunch.
Now we are armed up with nutritional fortitude for our foray
into Vidler’s. Oh, I tell you, it’s no end of fun. I bought a small ladle
(which I needed), crochet thread, a figurine, old fashioned candy, hand cream
packets to use as thank you gifts in my etsy orders, sink strainer, microwave
plastic food cover, and calendars. I trust I didn’t forget anything that was in
my bag. I could’ve bought so much more
if $$$$$ was no object. I saw a purse I loved and didn’t buy because I already
have one like it (but I would’ve liked to have that one too)
Here’s some pictures of what Vidler’s looks like inside.
Don’t be surprised that it looks so messy. Don’t you remember how Kresge’s and
Woolworth’s looked in the old days? With tons of cheap make-up just laying flat
in huge heaps on the counters, and glass separators between the types of items.
Wide wooden board floors, stairs (no
elevators or escalators). Aisles squished close together. The 5 and 10 was BASIC.
All in all, it was a lovely day. The kind beautiful memories are made of.
