Woolworth’s or Well Worth

Frank Woolworth founded the first Woolworth’s in the United States, and it was known as the five and dime store. Goods were sold at discounted prices, and the customer was allowed to pick them up from display, put them in a wire basket, and then take them to a  cash desk.

Image by William Hook via Flickr

It allowed the customer the freedom to choose what they wanted without a sales person being involved, and this idea became very popular.

Woolworth stores were soon opened all around the world including the United Kingdom, and they proved so popular,  and of course, the prices were great. I found them very handy for every day things, they stocked a bit of everything, and no-one could compete with their pick and mix. It was great fun to get a bag and pick out your favourite sweets and chocolates, and the delicious aroma that came from that part of the shop was just mouth watering. I always seemed to end up with a big bag full of goodies.

In the 1980s I noticed a change, they went in for selling tapes,   and videos, and then along came dvds, and then computer games. The everyday things I had managed to buy in there before, such as kitchen gadgets, china, and such like , were scaled down to the minimum. It seemed to me at that time, that Woolworth’s was catering more for teenagers than the rest of us.

The truth was they were struggling, and selling musical products was a way of surviving these difficult times. The children’s wear that I had often bought in there was also scaled down, and I imagine that the opening of various super stores like Tesco and then Asda, who also sold children’s clothes at very cheap prices, caused them  to make these changes.

However, I still went in there to buy the pick and mix, and pick up a magazine or newspaper, as there was always a nice atmosphere, and I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. When it was annnouced very suddenly, towards the end of 2008 that Woolworth’s would be closing by the end of the year, I felt sad. Ever since I had been a young child, there had been one in every town I lived in , it may have originated in America, but it felt like an old English institution had just died.

Recently I heard on the news that one store in Dorset had re-opened, selling the same things as before, but now called Well Worth. It seems an enterprising person has said there is a huge demand for it there,  and it was certainly full of people when they filmed it. Sadly in Herne Bay, where I live, the store stands empty, with no sign that anyone will buy this empty shop. I suppose this is a sign of the times with the credit crunch making itself felt. Woolies I shall miss you, and I feel for all your staff who have now  lost their jobs.  It’s a great shame.