I am a local shopper, diner and service consumer. I use grocery stores in Long Beach and Signal Hill, patronize restaurants in both of those cities, have my hair cut in Bixby Knolls area, use a Long Beach dry cleaner, and whenever we have a need for a plumber, roofer or electrician, we put our dollars with Long Beach/Signal Hill service providers.
Finding shoes and clothing in Signal Hill is not really possible, except for Costco. However, Long Beach does have some nice options for me.
Although Mother gets what seems like a dozen catalogues a day, she too would rather shop in the neighborhood.
As they say, there is always an exception to the rule, and Mom and I both agree that our favorite catalogue shopping award goes to Vermont Country Store (VCS). The reason for our loyalty to that particular mailer is their variety of available items from days gone by.
Listed under their category of old-fashioned candy are some of my favorites: Necco Wafers, Walnettos, Mary Jane, Bit-O-Honey, Turkish Taffy and fruity-flavored Chuckles.
When it comes to cleaning and laundry products, VCS has a wide variety of old go-to items such as Jubilee Kitchen Wax, flour sack towels, many Fuller Brush products and my former fashion trick, pants stretchers. When I was in junior high and high school, I used them to make creases in my jeans without having to iron them.
These folks also have items listed for health and beauty. Remember your mom wearing Evening in Paris perfume and dad reeking of Hai Karate aftershave? Yep, you will find both of those scents at VCS.
Although this may sound like a commercial endorsement, I am not on their payroll. I just wanted to share with our readers a fun way to bring back the past, one product at a time.
Vermont Country Store can be found at vermontcountrystore.com or can be contacted by calling 1-800-547-7849, where you can ask to be put on their mailing list.
