I want to tell you about my job in the
early '50s at S. Kliens on the cube as we called it then.
My primary assignment at Kliens was to be the voice on the speaker
system that did all openings and closing employee announcements.
I also announced the 15 minute specials when needed. "Shoppers
may I have your attention please. In just 15 minutes and for 15
minutes only we are rolling out a rack of ladies, misses, and petite
dresses, on the second floor mezzanine. This rack of dresses originally
sold for up to $20.00, but for 15 minutes only they are marked down
to just $2.00. That's right ladies ..."
The women worked in pairs. An attacker and a retriever. The attacker
charged the rack while it was rolling to its station. Knowing what
she and her partner wanted she pulled out selections and threw them
over her shoulder to the retriever partner. She knew sizes and kept
some and threw others back at the rack. Meantime, I would repeat
the announcement at 10 and 5 minutes to go. Then "here they
are ladies."
When not announcing I was a member of Miss Bert's flying squad.
We filled in for absent or vacationing salespeople. One time we
were having a young new singer in the store to entertain (bring
more in) customers. He was celebrating the release of either a new
record or album. He went on to do bigger and better things. His
name ....Andy Williams.
Another time ,I was assigned to the luggage department. I offered
to help a customer. She asked "What's this bag made of?"
I really had no idea. It looked like Naugahyde but not really. I
said, "this is the newest thing. It's called Jacobhyde. After
reviewing it's attributes the customer completed the purchase.
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