Muscatine

I read the on-line story today about the closing of Stiles/Ace Hardware after 43 years in business and wanted to offer up some remembrances of a by-gone period in downtown Muscatine.

I remember when they tore down the old Grand Hotel on the corner of 2nd and Sycamore. In it's place went Stiles which at the time was pretty upscale in terms of a one shop pharmacy. For years, Stiles hired some very attractive high school girls to work their counters. My heart still flutters when I think back on some of the cuties who worked there with their white smocks and name tags.

The one thing I'll always remember about Stiles is their friendliness and their parking lot. That angled parking was also something new to downtown Muscatine. Stiles served the community well in those 43 years of service and reading about their closing was like reading an obituary of an old friend.

I remember all of the stores listed in the Journal article and even some others. Woolworth's (great food counter), Fox's, Western Hardware, Schreers Music (where you could take the 45's in and have a private listen), Batterson's, and so many, many more. Things change as progress moves forward and unfortunately Stiles was a victim of progress.

In my own way I say goodbye to an old friend who was always there when I needed them. Thank you for the many memories you have left with me.

I am the Toast of the Town.

Stiles

When my son was 4 years we didn't have a Christmas tree. I seen a little 3 foot one at Stiles even though it was only $10.00 I didn't have the money. A week befor Christmas it was marked down to $7.00, still didn't have enough. Three days befor it was marked doewn to $4.00 I bought it then. my son was excited about having a Christmas tree. While we were paying for it he said ''Mommy, how are we going to decorate it?'' I told him we would make our own decorations, he said ok. As we were walking home about a block from there a man came running behind us asking us to please stop. It was the manager from Stiles and he had a bag with a string of lights, garland and a few ornaments. He said they were from a display and that they were going to throw them away so we might as well have them. We both thanked him my son was very happy and said what a nice man that was. Well I don't know if they were going to toss them or not but it made both of us very happy, and we both had fun putting homemade decorations along with the store decorations on our little tree. I will miss Stiles also because it gave myself and my son a very happy memorey.

Great memories, TotT!

God, thanks for the happy memories you brought back! I had a great-aunt that REFUSED to move away from the downtown area. ''She was a city girl, we were all country folks', in her opinion. When I'd stay with her, she'd take me to Woolworth's & buy me a soda as she shopped for hats & reading glasses. As we left, she always let me buy some candy!
The Batterson building, what was the name of that clothing store? What about Glasses women's store & Grant's? Grant's had the most AWESOME toy place on the top floor at Christmas! Mom used to take us there to figure out what we wanted. Does anyone else remember the night that the roof caved in on the building across the street from Grants store? My aunt & uncle had an apartment in that building. I remember getting the middle of the night call. They got out, but my uncle's teeth didn't! It was a huge family crisis! Thanks for sharing, TotT. I'll miss Stiles & K&D clothes too!

Changing world

The world is changing, but they can not take away our memories.