My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
I started working when I was 15 years old. My first job was a busboy at the Warminster Diner on Street Road. Later, I got a job at a privately owned pharmacy working behind the counter and delivering prescriptions to customers in the local area. It was during that time I learned how to drive a manual transmission because I had to use the pharmacy owners' yellow Volkswagen Beetle to delivery the prescriptions.
My third job (which is when I started my career in retail) was working as a checkout cashier in a brand new Kmart not far from my house. At that time, I was the only male cashier. Before the store opened, I clearly recall going through the training process on all the procedures that cashiers were responsible for at the checkout. Within a few months after the opening, I was offered a promotion working in the back office. However, I turned the offer down because I didn't want to work in an office, I preferred working on the floor; interacting with the customers.
Today I would like to share some Kmart history. Many of these photographs date back to around the time I worked for Kmart (1970). Some of them date back even further than that. And at the end of this post, I will be sharing an old photograph of me as a Kmart cashier, plus a photo of the actual Kmart store in which I worked.
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History
In 1962, retail pioneer Harry Cunningham, president of S.S. Kresge’s Co. at that time, drove retail into the large-scale discount market with the construction of the first full sized Kmart store in Garden City, Michigan.
-Kmart cashiers-
It's funny because I clearly remember those white boxes with the aisle number printed on them above each cash register. They had a lightbulb inside the box that would light up when you turned on the switch, which signaled that your register was open. They would also blink whenever you needed a price check.
-Kmart Grill staff-
They appear so spotlessly clean in those white uniforms that they almost look like hospital staff (seven nurses and one orderly), don't they?
-Kmart Grill-
Notice the prices on the wall. Only 73 cents for a turkey sandwich. Hell, today a turkey sandwich would cost you $15.00 + tip!
The only thing I didn't like about Kmart were the overhead fluorescent lightbulbs. I'm sorry, but fluorescent lighting should be outlawed because is the harshest and most UN-flattering light known to man. It makes everyone look like a CORPSE. The only place florescent lighting should be acceptable is in a parking garage or a funeral home.
In 1965 the Blue Light Special was introduced to advertise items on sale -- "Attention Kmart Shoppers!" I remember when they first allowed me to make the Blue Light Special announcements over the intercom system. I was very excited, but also extremely nervous. Blue Light Special's were my first shot at show business. LOL!
-More cashiers-
Back then there were no scanning devices, so you had to manually enter the price of each item into the register using the keys. You also had to figure out how much change the customer received from the amount they gave you, and then vocally count it back to them.
By 1976, S.S. Kresge made history by opening 271 Kmart stores in one year. It became the first-ever retailer to launch 17 million square feet of sales space in a single year.
$3.88 for a blouse?!?!? It's no wonder those customers were grabbing them off the racks. You GO, girls!
-Kmart Film Camera Shop-
Memories
Light the corners of my mind...
Wishing you a blue light special day, everyone! 💗
*Note: Historical information and most of these photos were found on the outstanding YouTube channel: Recollection Road.
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