In Praise of the Corner Market

[lindyannajones]

My mother always began her questions to me with "would you mind......?"

Would you mind taking out the trash? Would you mind setting the table? Would you mind running over to the market and picking up some milk for supper?

Let me be clear. As sweet as that sounds, my mom was a force to be reckoned with and while this phrase sounded like a question, most assuredly it was a demand. Not unreasonable, by any means, either, but "yes, I do mind" was not an optional reply unless I wanted to face her withering glare. The bright side of these impositions was the prospect of bonus pennies, nickels or quarters for treats at the corner market.

Treats, if you recall, fell into two categories: the quickly melt in your mouth or the last almost forever kind. This was often determined by how soon mom needed the milk. "Now" curtailed the leisurely mental savoring of each candy on display and came with the "don't spoil your supper" warning. Otherwise, the burdensome task of "getting milk" evolved into early training in decision making and the subtle distinctions among good, better and best. Corner market kids were Candy Gourmands by the time they were 10.

Here's the math from the 50's: 1/2 gallon milk--50 cents/loaf of bread-19 cents/candy-5 cents/ and 22 cents for the "where's the change?" question.


Do you remember the screen door? It belongs to this well-loved corner market in Tucson. It is located in Barrio Viejo near the heart of city. It no longer serves as a market but is appreciated by photographers and artists.

"...and could you also pick up some bread?"



Time Market...if only you could buy time.

La Tiendita - The Corner Market in Sonoitya, Mexico, featuring Pinatas for the Birthday Party



Corner Market
by Tina Trivett

running down the hot sidewalk
2 coins jingling in his pocket
anticipation of orange soda
his own bottle, just for him
shaved head reflects the sun
shoes slapping, coins jingling
anticipating

[moi]

'Could you get the messages for me?' was my mum's Irish question. Cousin-what a wonderfully evocative set of pictures. Beautiful detail and a superb,as usual,commentary and introduction. And the last text-I LOVE it all!

[equilution]

Great story of days gone by, Linda! It conures up memories of my childhood, very much like what you describe! You could count on the inevitible question "Where's the change?" which got your creative juices flowing on the way home, the two of you coordinating your stories! "Would you mind if I took a moment to explain....."

Great presentation! Thanks for sharing!

[pjflan7]

I used to go to a small market on Lookout Mtn similar to your shot and yes, the candy was sometimes behind the glass case.....Most of the time, I went for the sugar daddy or the charms lollipop or blowpop because they lasted so long. They also used to have a chicklet gum squares machine.....a penny for 2......simple joys in life now about gone

[FDCPR]

Great series lindy and thought provoking. The "would you mind" or the other of "can you do" bring back memories of my own parents, and really the memory of finding out that "yes I do mind" or answering "no" was not an option. The small markets such as this were the predominant stores when I first moved here twelve years ago, now they are disappearing as the larger chain stores move in, not sure it is advancement after all.

[lindyannajones]

Originally Posted by moi

'Could you get the messages for me?' was my mum's Irish question. Cousin-what a wonderfully evocative set of pictures. Beautiful detail and a superb,as usual,commentary and introduction. And the last text-I LOVE it all!

You know I treasure your comments. Thanks for all your kind words. I kinda figured this series to evoke memories that may not be carbon copies but similar. While I don't know "get the messages" the experience is the same. I love remembering these experiences communally.

[fstopMike]

Lindy, you're wrong! You can buy time at the "Time Market" It's a commodity readily found on SYS in a post labeled "In Praise of the Corner Market".

I'm carried back 50+ years to my grandparent's 2nd house in Unadilla, GA right on US 41. They would go down there for a week or so several times every summer and quite often carried a lucky grandson to see his country cousins. Every day at 2 O'clock sharp, without fail, was "Coke time". I would be given enough money to buy cokes and an extra nickel for a treat for going and getting everybody's coke. It's a memory I treasure even now.

Or to the time when a six year old could get dropped off at his grandparents house to go to school while his parents worked. He would wait on the sidewalk of the busy street by himself for the trolley to come by. You know, the kind of trolley that had long spring loaded arms that reached to the wires over the street. His little legs would climb up the steps and drop the change into the slot of the money box. It would slide down the chute of the glass enclosed box, first one way and then the other. The driver could see the change as it slid down to the bottom of the glass box, counting to make sure the proper fare was deposited. When the trolley would approach his stop, the little boy would stand up in the seat and reach for the overhead wire that ran along the side of the trolley just above the window, giving it a sharp pull. The bell would ring at the front of the bus, letting the driver know someone was wanting to get off at the next stop. The bus would stop, the driver would turn the lever beside his seat, and the doors would magically open and the six year old would get off and walk the block to the school.

Sadly, that couldn't happen today...except at the "Time Market"

[Hayward Taylor]

Hi Lindy - a trip down memory lane ..... ohhh - the good old days - or is it? .. in fact, there are parts of Samoa where they still practice this way of life .. an excellent presentatiion

[jakethepig]

Hi Linda. All your pictures are brilliant. You sure brought back some memories with this wonderful set. I particularly like the corner market or as we say here in England, corner shop.. I have many memories of the corner shop. I think there used to be one on every corner when I was small. In our house. I never waited for the quesion. Mum said we needed milk, so I went to dad and waited for the money. Why wait for the question, the next bit was inevitable. "David, go to the shop" Of course, as with you there was always a treat, and I had to beat my sisters. There are a few corner shops still operating so I will go and get a picture of one and share it with you.. Thanks for your lovely story and the memories.

Dave.

[leonaashlee]

Nice work Linda...love the story