The original five and dime, an American export, failed to keep up with times, experts say

The original five and dime, an American export, failed to keep up with times, experts say

By SHELLEY EMLING

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Saturday, December 27, 2008

London — Just shy of its 100th birthday in this country, a beloved U.S. import — Woolworths — is about to vanish.

An enduring fondness for the retail chain’s mix of clothing and housewares — not to mention its popular pick-n-mix sweets counter — has kept it afloat here more than a decade after the business disappeared from the United States.

But the global credit crisis and changing consumer tastes forced Woolworths to file for a form of bankruptcy here last month. The administrators for the collapsed chain, Deloitte & Touche, launched a going-out-of-business sale recently after failing to attract a buyer.

Employees have struggled to keep shelves restocked as bargain hunters have poured into the chain’s 815 stores, eager to take advantage of 50 percent discounts.

One day recently at a Woolworths in Putney, a London suburb, some shelves were empty and clothing and other merchandise was strewn on the floor after being picked over by frenzied customers.

Everywhere, buyers were eager to find bargains. For example, a play kitchen set that was once about $91 had been marked down to about $36. Video games once priced at about $60 had been marked down to less than half that.

Carolyn Fincham was just one customer who said she was sad to see the stores go.

“Woolworths was a place I could go to get just about anything, whether it was shoes or socks or a last-minute birthday gift,” she said. “It’s just a real shame it won’t be around any more.”

Many Britons remember buying their first vinyl single record at a Woolworths. Many mothers say it was where they bought their child’s first school uniform. In recent years, Woolworths became one of the first sellers of Halloween costumes and decorations in Britain. Often it was children who packed the stores on weekends, seeking to spend money on toys and candy.


Remember F.W. Woolworth store located on E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
just to the right of where Parker's on Ponce is now located.
This is a photo/drawing of Decatur's F.W. Woolworth when they did a remodel for the store front.

Holiday Sales at Whit's End

Happy 2009 Everyone, Thanks for your support this holiday season, and for shopping Decatur and coming in to the store. We really appreciate it! So we had some good before the holiday sales, and here are the extra savings we are passing on to you for in store purchases. Clearance prices of 60% - 40% off the last remaining summer wear, certain winter wear, Columbia shoes, some gifts. 20% off Columbia upper body wear, Woolrich slippers & scarves, Toms Shoes, City of Decatur long sleeve tees & sweatshirts. 10% off Patagonia shoes, Kuhl/Prana/Flyshacker/Dockers upper body wear. Dockers pants and Levi's cords are discounted too! (Savings of 20%-45%) Sizes, styles, and colors are limited. Please return holiday purchased items by Jan 15, 2009 with tags intact and store receipt for store credit or exchange for in store merchandise. We are closing at 5p New Years Eve and will be closed New Years Day. See you in soon! Jeff and Greg
Whit's End, LLC
431 W. Ponce DeLeon Ave, #2 Decatur, GA
(404) 377-3310 (404) 377-8335
Fax whitsenddecatur@bellsouth.net
www.whitsenddecatur.com

You'll shoot your eye out kid.

MERRY CHRISTMAS - HO..HO..HO..

Merry Christmas from The Decatur Theatre

Check out the Christmas decorations inside the boxoffice. Priceless.
Photo's are circa 1965
Note: You can also see Scott's Pharmacy, this was one of the popular downtown drugstores, Scott's Pharmacy at Sycamore and McDonough, was a inviting place for an ice cream soda on a hot afternoon downtown or after an evening movie at The Decatur Theatre.

"Bill Pinckney's Drifters" White Christmas

ENJOY.

LOST TOY COMMERCIALS FOR BOOMERS ONLY 1950/60's

Baby Please Come Home. U2

Decatur, Ga. Street Scene

Update on Decatur Fire Station no. 2

The new Fire Station is being built on the same site as the old one on W. Hill Street.
Here is some info:
Construction of the new fire station is being funded by the City’s capital bond program. LP3 Architects of Decatur designed the building, which is expected to be the City of Decatur’s first LEED certified building. Construction is expected to begin during the week of July 21, 2008 and to last about 10 months.

Auto dealer sees opportunity in crisis

Sean Drakes / AJC Special
Darryl Ford, owner and general manager of Stone Mountain Chrysler Jeep Dodge, says it’s important to shore up his business model now to ensure he’s in business when the economy recovers
UP CLOSE / DARRYL FORD, owner of Stone Mountain Chrysler Jeep Dodge

By MICHAEL E. KANELL

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday, December 21, 2008

It is not the best of times in the automotive industry. But good times or bad, it has been a seven-day-a-week job for Darryl Ford.

And as an entrepreneur, Ford sees opportunity in crisis.
For four years the owner and general manager of Stone Mountain Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Ford had grown sales to $50 million last year. But that was before the recession, the credit crisis and the parade of Detroit executives arriving in Washington to plead for government assistance.

Events have changed his business and his cost structure, but not, he says, his work ethic or his philosophy.

Q: As an auto dealer, I’d expect you to have an opinion on the bailout of the auto companies. What do you think?

A: I see government intervention as something that has been going on for some time. It’s nothing new. You’ve got Georgia and Kentucky and Tennessee — incentives and tax breaks to get the companies to move in. Government has been involved in the auto business.

And a healthy auto sector is a vital part of the community, of the market. There are 3, 4, 5 million people that could be affected. If Congress could get away from the notion of the CEOs and think about what is important to all of us.
Full story @ AJC

Make Your New Year's Eve Plans at Twain's

Twain's Billiards & Tap
211 E. Trinity Pl.
Decatur, GA.

Leon's Full Service Pub Construction Update

Workers here are painting the light colored wood a darker color.
Getting ready for a 2009 early opening.

Thumbs Up Diner to Open Soon

Looks like they are ready to open now.
Wonder why they choose purple for the canopy.

Thumbs Up Diner
174 W Ponce De Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030

Glenlake Park Improvements comes with new Pool House

Now it's Glenlake's turn.
With the improvements comes a new pool house building for pool.
The old pool house is already history.
I guess they want the new building for summer 09

Here are the plans from City of Decatur website.

At their regular meeting on February 19, the City Commission approved a master plan and future master plan for Glenlake Park and a budget of $3,000,000 for the first phase of improvements. The approved budget provides funding for improvements to the following features in Glenlake Park:

• pool and bathhouse
• main road, parking and trail section at tennis courts
• perimeter trail
• multi-use field and pavilions
• dog park
• basketball court
• tennis court repairs
• bisecting trail
• stream bank restoration

Glenlake Park is one of Decatur’s most popular and intensively-used parks. Because of funding limits, this park has never been improved like Oakhurst, Ebster and McKoy Parks, which have benefited from numerous community development grants over the last 35 years. The recent City bond referendum provided the first funding for substantial improvements to Glenlake Park in more than 40 years.

It is anticipated that construction of the Glenlake Park improvements will take about a year and will start in September, 2008.

Christmas Time

Keep your Decatur kids active over the holidays!

AVOID YOUR KIDS CATCHING CABIN FEVER !!!

Keep your Decatur kids active over the holidays!
Play Soccer with Decatur Active Living & FC Atlanta!

We are hosting two mini-camps for boys and girls ages 8 through 12:
Camp I: Mon., Dec. 29th & Tues., Dec. 30th
Camp II: Mon., Jan. 5th & Tues. Jan. 6th
Location: Ebster Rec. Center & Field, 404 West Trinity Place
$40 per child per session; Pay at the Mini-Camp site

Schedule:
8:30 - 9:00am: Drop off

9 - 9:45am: Warm up and Speed & Agility Training

9:45 - 10:30am: Technical Skill Work

10:30 - 11am: Topic of the Day/Snack

11am - 12:15pm: World Cup Tournament

12:30 pm: Pick up



For more information and questions, please contact Dan Magee,

Dan.Magee@decaturga.com or 678-553-6541

Great Christmas Gift is for "The Birds"

New York Post
By DAVID K. LI
FLIGHT FRIGHT: Barbie's a target of Hitchcockian terror.


A scary new version of Barbie is taking wing.

For $40 a pop, grown-up collectors of the iconic Mattel doll can have their favorite blonde, packaged in a box and viciously pecked by birds.

This special "Barbie Collector" model is tailored after Tippi Hedren's role in the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock thriller "The Birds."

"The master of suspense, gave us a tale of terror not soon forgotten in his film 'The Birds,' " according to the Barbie pitch.

"Dressed in a re-creation of the stylish green skirt-suit worn by the film's ill-fated heroine [played by Tippi Hedren] in an iconic scene, Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' Barbie Doll celebrates the 45th anniversary of the acclaimed film."

Makers of the doll warn parents that this Barbie is "rated PG-13" and might not be suited for every little girl in New York or any other place.

Maybe they should make a Rod Taylor doll to go with Tippi Hedren to help fight off The Birds'





This is Alfred Hitchcock at his Best.

Have Breakfast With Santa Tomorrow .

Breakfast With Santa
Dec. 20 • 8-10 a.m.
Join Santa for a breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn Select Decatur Conference Center after he rides in on a Decatur fire truck. Tickets must be purchased in advance – $12 for adults, $7 for children under 12 – use your credit card online at www.decaturdba.com or pay by cash, check or debit card at Decatur CD, 356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

All I want for Christmas is you LIVE by Mariah Carey

MAYNARD'S SERVICE STATION CIRCA 1983

Maynard's Service Station
E. College Ave.
Decatur, GA.

Photo taken just before it was torn down.
Sept. 83

Dancing Goats Coffee Bar

Click on photo for info.

Dancing Goats® Coffee Bar
419 W. Ponce De Leon
Decatur, GA 30030
(404)687-1100
Hours:
Mon-Thurs 6 am to 7 pm
Fri 6am to 8pm
Sat 7am to 8pm
Sun 7am to 7pm

DHS Band Bulldog Cards Now at Whit’s End for $10!!

DHS Band Bulldog Cards Now at Whit’s End for $10!!



These cards don’t expire until 2010. Below are the deals at local restaurants, and the card should pay for itself after one or two uses.

Proceeds will benefit the DHS Band Fund, and help fund our son’s trip with the band to Slovakia this Spring.

Cash or check only, please.

Voilà Market Café
Buy one lunch entrée, get one of equal or lesser value free.

Matador Mexican Cantina
Buy one entrée, get one of equal or lesser value free (up to $6.75).

Saba
Buy one menu item with two drinks, get one of equal or lesser value free.

El Tesoro
Buy one menu item, get one of equal or lesser value free.

Roly Poly
Buy one sandwich, get one of equal or lesser value free.

Raging Burrito
Buy one burrito, get one of equal or lesser value free (up to $5).

Subway
Buy one 6 in. sub with drink, get one 6 in. sub of equal or lesser value free.

Rocco’s NY Pizza
Buy one monster slice with two toppings, get one of equal or lesser value free.

Nathalie’s Fish House
Buy one menu item, get one of equal or lesser value free (up to $10).

Atlanta Bread Co.
Buy one bagel with cream cheese, get one free.

Las Brasas
Buy any menu item, get one of equal or lesser value half price.

Thanks,

Jeff and Greg



Whit's End, LLC
431 W. Ponce DeLeon Ave, #2
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 377-3310
(404) 377-8335 Fax
whitsenddecatur@bellsouth.net
www.whitsenddecatur.com

Parker's on Ponce

Christmas Time in Decatur, GA.

Parker's on Ponce
116 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA.
404-924-2230

Who Needs the Big 3? Atlanta Company Plans New Police Car

Will city of Decatur be able to afford new Police Cars?


GREENVILLE, S.C. — Straight out of a Hollywood movie, the "E7" may be the police car of the future.

"You think about Knight Rider and all these fictional characters," said William Santana Li, chairman and CEO of the Atlanta-based Carbon Motors Corporation. "This car is actually real."

A prototype model of the E7 is on a nine-city U.S. tour, as Carbon Motors executives market the car to law enforcement officials and municipal fleet managers.
Unlike conventional police cruisers, which are retrofitted consumer vehicles such as the Ford Crown Victoria, the E7 is the first car designed and built specifically for law enforcement.

"You would never send a pickup truck to go put out a fire," Li said. "Why would you send a family sedan to go take care of a homeland-security issue?"

Flashing emergency lights are embedded in the E7's frame, making the car aerodynamic and visible from all directions. The front seats are designed with extra space to accommodate a police officer's utility belt.
he rear passenger compartment is completely sealed off from the cockpit. Molded plastic seats in back allow for easy cleaning and prevent prisoners from hiding contraband.

Two front-mounted cameras automatically scan license plates of nearby vehicles and alert police when they find a car flagged as stolen or involved in some other crime. According to developers, the car's onboard equipment can also detect nuclear and biological threats.

Li said the car's 300 bhp forced-induction 3.0-diesel engine will deliver 420 lb-ft of torque and propel the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, with a governed top speed of 155 mph.

He also said the E7's engine, which can run on either ultra-low sulfur diesel or biodiesel, will have a combined fuel economy rating of 28 to 30 mpg — up to 40 percent more fuel efficient than conventional police cruisers.

If Decatur annexes we must, too says Avondale Estates

Avondale Estates: If Decatur annexes we must, too

By APRIL HUNT

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

As Decatur weighs the possibility of expanding its borders, neighboring Avondale Estates is again considering annexation as well.

The two west DeKalb County cities’ futures may be intertwined. Avondale leaders say that if Decatur moves forward on discussions to annex along East Ponce de Leon Avenue, which runs through both cities, they would have to annex from their end, to meet at Sams Crossing.
Otherwise, Mayor Ed Rieker said, the city could lose the chance to square its borders and add more commercial property to its tax rolls.

“If we don’t control it, Decatur might,” Rieker said of the mostly industrial and commercial land that lies in unincorporated DeKalb County between the cities. Avondale is considering whether to add about 80 businesses from the East Ponce/Laredo Drive area, as well as a handful more along East College Avenue.
AJC full story

Bistro in a Box to Open Soon.

Parking around back.

Bistro in a Box
307 East College Ave.
Decatur, Ga.

It's not Christmas until Darlene Love Sings this Song.

MAD MONSTER PARTY AT THE PLAZA THEATRE DEC. 27

Saturday DEC 27th - 1pm & 10pm



MAD MONSTER PARTY


www.silverscreamspookshow.com








THE SILVER SCREAM SPOOK SHOW is a 30 minute live stage show filled with magic tricks, dancing girls, jokes, spectacle and frights! Sort of like The Munsters meets Pee Wee's Playhouse! You have to see it to believe it! We follow it with a classic horror movie on actual 35mm film!

So hold on to the seat of your pants and buy a ticket or three to

THE SILVER SCREAM SPOOK SHOW!

KIDS UNDER 12 FREE AT THE 1:00 MATINEE! EVERYONE ELSE ONLY $7.

ALL TICKETS ARE $10 FOR THE 10:00 SHOW!

The Old Campus Grill & Restaurant

The Old Campus Grill
The Campus Grill & Restaurant stood for many years at the corner of N. McDonough and Howard and was a favorite for Agnes Scott College students as well as students from Decatur High School.

Rare photo, first one I have seen of the building.
The Campus Grill was torn down circa 1960 to make room for...well nothing.

Your help is needed to give TOMS shoes to children in Ethiopia

A Great Week-end for a Kudzu Visit.

A message from Kudzu Antique Market

One of Atlanta's oldest and best Antique Markets, Kudzu relocated in 2007 to a new and larger location, just 1/2 block from the old. 25,000 sq.ft. features over 100 of Atlanta's Best Dealers, Antique and Unique Consignment, Wholesale, an Outdoor Shop, Framing and Lamp Repair services, Architectural, and more. Discover why Kudzu has been voted one of Atlanta's best for over 30 years. Closed Mondays.

This place has many Christmas decorations and you could do your Christmas shopping here.

On Sundays in December they even have live entertainment.(see photo above)

Kudzu Antique Market
2928 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA. 30030

This winter Wahoo! will make your mouth water.

This winter Wahoo! will make your mouth water with our new seasonal menu. Below is a sample of some of our favorites...

New Appetizers:

Flash fried Polenta
locally grown organic mushrooms,
goat cheese and chive polenta,
roasted red pepper coulis, chives,
black truffle olive oil

Steak Satay
three skewers of bistro filet,
potato straws, red wine balsamic reduction

New Entrees:

Scallop Picatta
three lightly breaded sautéed sea scallops, lemon caper butter
risotto/ asparagus

Grilled Filet and Shrimp
six ounce bistro filet, mushroom demi glace
three jumbo shrimp, drawn butter
risotto/ sautéed spinach





Wahoo! Grill
1042 West College Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-3331
www.wahoogrilldecatur.com

Decatur city school board members voted , don't add to city.

By KRISTINA TORRES

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution



Decatur city school board members voted Tuesday to oppose a proposal to annex two large neighborhoods and commercial strips into the city.

Their vote was symbolic — the decision ultimately lies with city officials, not the school board — but it sets a discordant tone for commissioners who will decide Monday whether to pursue annexation anyway.
full story here.

Jay Leno is staying at NBC, will be in prime-time

Jay Leno is staying at NBC, will be in prime-time
Pictured is Victoria Beckham with Jay Leno.

NEW YORK — Jay Leno is staying at NBC, and he's moving to prime time. The network announced Tuesday that Leno will host a show five nights a week at 10 p.m. Eastern, after he leaves the "Tonight" show next year. The network had announced nearly five years ago that Conan O'Brien would move to "Tonight" and succeed Leno.

The deal not only prevents Leno from moving to another network and competing with O'Brien, it also has the potential to be a big cost savings for NBC. A talk show is considerably cheaper to produce than the dramas that usually air at 10 p.m. Eastern.
Leno could now deliver his nightly monologue and sketches to more viewers. Generally about 50 percent more people are watching TV at 10 p.m. than at 11:30 p.m.

Dramas used to be a mainstay of network schedules, and NBC's own history at the time slot includes "ER," "Hill Street Blues," "Law & Order" and "L.A. Law."

Yet dramas have been fading in recent years. One reason is digital video recorders; more people are watching shows they taped earlier than the live 10 p.m. shows.

Recreation Center Master Plan Tuesday night Dec. 9th 2008

The City of Decatur is considering options for the future use of the Decatur Recreation Center
Please joins us at a public work session on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center , 231 Sycamore Street to share your thoughts and ideas about the building. To view drawings of the existing building and to follow the progress of this planning effort over the next few months you can visit the city's website.

Get your Christmas Trees at Suburban Plaza

Shoppers picking over Christmas trees Saturday afternoon.

Christmas in Decatur, GA

Comment:
Anonymous said...

Will be visiting Decatur from Philadelphia for Christmas...and I am counting down the hours. My wife, daughter and I are making it an 800-mile holiday road trip to Atlanta...love it! Many thanks for your site...it keeps me close to beautiful Decatur all year round.
- Carlos from Phoenixville, PA