Below are some Ramsay’s memories I received in response to my column on December 18th. — J.T. K.
On my, I still dream about being in Ramsay’s! I think I have a few of those bags. It was my mother’s favorite place to shop. The Jones Store was good but not as good as Ramsay’s. It was the highlight of the week for the two of us to go shopping there just about every Saturday. — Kathy Spigarelli
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For me, Ramsay's was all about the second floor, not the mezzanine (a word that I loved because it sounded so exotic). Also, the little alcove by the stairs. I loved looking down onto the first floor from up there.
The stairs from the mezzanine up to the second floor led up to the area with girls’ clothing (and probably boys, but I wasn't aware of that). Ramsay's fashions were for special occasions, at least for the Robb girls. Certainly not for everyday wear and tear. We might have gotten "first day of school" dresses there but I'm thinking more along the lines of Easter and "Sunday best". I don't recall my mother ever saying Ramsay's had quality clothing but, in my mind, that's what set the store apart. It was more "fancy" clothing, at least for us. Maybe our coats came from there. I'm not sure about that.
But what I most remember was the candy counter with large glass jars of various penny candy lining open shelves, anchored at one end by a large, old-fashioned cash register. It was all self-serve, as in the clerks (all adult women who seemed old to me but were no doubt much younger than I imagined) did not supervise those buying candy. Oh, I'm sure they kept an eye out, but back in the day (early to mid 1960s), kids weren't given the latitude to run amok in a store, especially one of Ramsay's caliber. Being given change and allowed to not only choose my own candy but also press the keys of that register was far better than shopping for clothes.
And next to the candy counter was a coin operated merry-go-round with three horses (I think) that was more child-sized than any found in a carnival setting. Again, it was a perk that other stores didn't have so it made going there more special. It was better than any "horse ride" in some of the larger grocery stores & preferable to waiting on my mother to pay for any purchases. Obviously, Ramsay’s had a genius marketing plan to entice mothers with young children into the store. — Carol Ann Robb.
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My wife, Linda, pointed out that Ramsay’s had a gift wrapping section on the third floor (where her aunt, Ann Marie Paulin, worked during the Christmas season) that was second to none; well-dressed ladies crafting individual designs using a variety of elegant papers, ribbons, and bows.
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I worked at Ramsay’s while in college. Can’t remember exactly the years. It had to be between 1970 and 1973. I worked on the first floor - right near the entrance to the store. That area had cosmetics, handbags and jewelry. The experienced sales force consisted of these elegant, older women. They were very good at their job. I would love to know what they thought about us young, not so elegant, college girls. I probably had to spend some of my paycheck on clothing because the dress code during my college years was hippie style!
There was a large opening from where I worked into the Oxford Shop. One memory that sticks with me is being able to see, talk (and probably flirt) with the college guys that worked in there. I also recall lots of discussions about parties from the night before and plans for parties in coming days! It was a great part time job while in college. — Jeanne Spigarelli Cohorst
Note: Through the life of the company (over eighty years and four generations), Ramsay’s operated stores, at one time or another, in Atchison, Coffeyville, Iola, and Pittsburg in Kansas; Guthrie, McAlester, Miami, and Okmulgee in Oklahoma; Beatrice in Nebraska; and Carthage & Joplin in Missouri.
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