Don Canney

Being inundated with Black Friday commercials and circulars caused me to have yet another flashback to the “60’s, prompting a “virtual” shopping trip in downtown Nashua. It’s only virtual in the sense that I am referencing an online Telegraph dated December 5, 1963 and imagining what we might have been able to purchase then for those on our shopping list.

Like Christmas shopping today amidst a pandemic, the mood in December 1963 may have been similar, with a somber tone being set only a month after the assassination of JFK.

The front page shares a story of the city’s mayor (Mario J. Vagge) being willing to aid merchants during the holiday season by providing not quite free parking but urging “leniency” for downtown shoppers. I guess that means those in parking enforcement looking the other way when approaching an expired meter? The same page also headlined the Telegraph Santa Fund tally at $355.

For anyone shopping for that perfect gift, Woolworth’s had a six-transistor tape recorder on sale for only $12.88. The CH Avery company on Factory Street advertised colonial style chairs that remain “unchanged” in style from only $119.00. J. Coronis & Sons Furniture on West Pearl had 3-piece bedroom suites for $109.00. Bud Tate’s TV on West Hollis Street pushed portable black and white TVs for only $149.00 featuring “up front golden throat sound!” A competitor, Deluxe Radio Sales and Service on East Hollis, showed a Zenith handcrafted wood cabinet TV with “Space Command” (essentially an early battery-free remote control that worked off ultra-sonic clicks). Thus, the eventual moniker, “clicker.” Dionne Brothers Furniture had Hoover vacs for $54.90 and Jerry’s Radio, TV and Appliances on West Hollis, advertised a Zenith “micro-touch” console stereo. Unlike today, there was nothing “stereo” that we could carry. Those consoles were big!

Miller’s, then still on West Pearl Street, had luxury women’s “dusters” on sale for only $12.98. My Mom wore one. It was essentially a ladies’ robe that was typically worn around the house. Hale’s Shoe Store, on West Pearl, advertised women’s leather boots (both low and high heel) for $6.99.

Remember a place called Kimrick Mills? They were located on Route 3 in South Nashua near Spitbrook Road. They advertised women’s sweaters for $2.00, skirts for $1.98, kids jackets for $6.98, and men’s sweaters as low as $3.98. Bradlees at Simoneau Plaza had men’s sweaters for $4.99, a West Bend percolator for $5.99 (very pre-Keurig) and a Toastmaster toaster for $10.99.

Tiny Totland on Main Street had Doll “Coaches” that looked very much like doll carriages, for only $8.99. JJ Newbury’s boasted of Chatty Baby Dolls for $6.66. With that price, hopefully they didn’t morph into Chucky dolls. Osgood’s Hardware on East Hollis promoted their huge “Toy-a-Rama” and who can forget the Christmas sale at Doehla Greeting cards, where you got cards, wrapping paper, candles, and gifts at “factory” prices?

Jordan’s Luggage Shop on Main Street was one of the few places where you could get a wallet embossed with a gold monogram. Did you know the Goodyear Tire and Service Store on Main Street sold 11″ GE televisions for $99.95? Really? A tire store?

George Scontsas & Sons’ on Main Street advertised Christmas cards designed by Mrs. John F. Kennedy, to benefit the National Cultural Center. It was a sign of those times.

Anyone preparing food shopping lists for Christmas parties was able to choose from the following local markets: Gold Seal Stores, A&P, 20th Century Markets, Grand Union Champagne’s, Soucy’s Markets, Clover Farm Stores, Jean’s Foodland, First National Stores, or Cerier’s Market on West Pearl at Elm. It was not unusual back then for supermarkets to establish small “Toylands” in their stores as an additional draw for customers.

Well, remarkably, it looks like my “virtual” shopping is just about done. I kept it local, spending a total of only about fifty bucks. And it had to be all cash because I shopped in pre charge card days, so no post-holiday bills. Ahh, the good old days.

By the way, Fun in Acapulco, starring Elvis Presley, was playing at the old Daniel Webster Theatre where Martha’s Exchange now sits. Thank ya, thank ya very much. Safe shopping!

Don Canney is a freelance writer and professional voice artist. He was born and raised in downtown Nashua with great interest in Nashua history circa 1950-1970. He now resides in Litchfield.

Newsletter