Reflections /
by Steve Wiandt, reporter: State Road Shopping Center -- where else in 1966 could you buy a TV at a tire shop or a Tweezy Tweed paper dress?
I ran across an advertising supplement to the Cuyahoga Falls City Press dated Nov. 9, 1966. In big, carnival-style lettering was printed "TURKEY FESTIVAL" on the front page. A special Thanksgiving sales gimmick was being promoted at the plaza on state Route 8 from Nov. 10 through 12.
The front of the eight-page tabloid stated 100 free turkeys were going to be given away. "No purchase necessary," the copy inside a cartoon turkey read. "Register at any store displaying the FREE TURKEY banner." Page 1 further instructed readers to "check every page for Fall Festival savings. Free & easy parking. Shop evenings till 9 p.m."
Inside were ads for Penneys, Montgomery Ward, National Dinette, American Girl, Cleveland Fabric Shops, Grant's, Gray Drug Store, Dietz Florist, Smead's Paper Basket, Valley Farms, Wagoner Marsh, and Firestone.
Penneys was having a sale on "better misses" coats available in solids, plaids and tweeds, some warmly lined with Acrylic pile. Coats were priced at $30 and $35. With an asterisk, the ad noted that all fur-trimmed coats were labeled to show country of origin. "CHARGE THEM!" was clearly printed in all capital letters with an exclamation point.
Occupying two full pages, Penneys also advertised children's jackets and snowsuits for just $4. "CHARGE THEM!" was repeated. Men's topcoats were reduced from the regular price of $29.88 to $25. And again, folks, don't forget to "CHARGE THEM!" Men's dress slacks were also on sale, two for $11. (Yes, you guessed it, "CHARGE THEM!")
Ahh, this really puts you in the Christmas spirit.
The center spread of the tab was two full-page Montgomery Ward ads. Ward's was selling "girl's (yes, one girl's) jackets in corduroy" for $7.99. MW was having a "big sale" on all-weather coats, $10 on coats that were $22.99. Water repellent coats were $1 more. (So, I guess "all-weather" coats were not necessarily waterproof; "all weather except for rainy and snowy weather.") Again customers are commanded to charge their purchases.
Ward's also was selling its own Signature Detergent "one of the superior laundry detergents on the market" with "sensational" cleansing power in hot and cold. The cost: $3.33 for 20 pounds.
Other deals included Ward's color slide film for 88 cents; Ward's color movie film for 88 cents; Kodak black and white jumbo prints from 120, 126, 127, 620, 828 and 35 mm film for 6 cents each; and Kodak Kodacolor jumbo prints for 16 cents. At bottom of the second Ward's ad was printed: Use your credit to save now ... Just say "Charge it."
Grant's had a 7-foot flameproof Scotch pine tree with a heavy-duty steel stand for only $11.88. But the store was asking for no money down. Customers could pay $1.25 a week, or charge it and take up to 24 months to pay.
"So life-like in its deep green," the ad copy stated. "Tapered branches for extra fullness. Can be safely used for all indoor lights. Sturdy stand has enamel finish. Exceptionally low-priced." Sounds great! I'll take 10! I want my own deep green, flame proof indoor forest!
Gray Drug Store, the "prescription specialists," had anti freeze" for a $1.09 a gallon; furnace filters, three for $1.09; Hershey Instant Cocoa Mix, 2 lb., 59 cents; typing paper (remember typewriters?), 300 sheets, 59 cents; Aladdin pint vacuum bottle (remember Aladdin Thermoses with the replaceable bottle?), 87 cents; TV tray tables," 69 cents; and the Atlas All-Night Vaporizer, $3.99.
Here's something interesting -- Smead's Paper Basket was selling paper dresses. Yes, paper dresses! The ad says, "Be a doll dressed in paper! The Paper Dresses have arrived! The hottest fashion item in Akron! A choice of paper dresses in paisley, prints, stripes, and a 'paint your own' style - a plain white dress complete with paint and a paint brush!" Pattern included "Tweezy Tweed" and "Crash with Marble." Is that weird, or what?
I was surprised to see that Firestone sold televisions and washing machines. A Philco 21-inch custom color TV cost $479.95. That included a contemporary styled cabinet in genuine hardwood veneer and a bonded safety tube. Maybe that was the connection between tires and televisions in the '60s -- tubes. No, I take that back. Firestone Tractionaire winter tires, two for $25, were tubeless. A Philco automatic washer cost $177.
The Valley Farms ad told readers to order their "fresh dressed holiday turkey now." I wonder if Valley Farms got together with Smead's and dressed their birds in Tweezy Tweed ... water repellent for $1 more.
E-mail: swiandt@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3141