Hometown Visit Part 2

After we left the anniversary party at the church we decided to drive around town to see the places that were  a part of my life during my growing up years.  Our son also enjoys remembering the fun times we shared here together.

Visiting my hometown is always bittersweet.  My parents passed away 24 & 14 years ago.

This is the home my family lived in from the time I was in 5th grade until my Mother passed away 14 years ago.  

My parents owned a shoe store here in this building until my mother closed it in 1995.

It is now a book/antique store.

When we stopped to take this picture we noticed it was open.

I haven't been inside since 1995.

When I walked inside I heard the familiar sound of the bell that rings when the door is opened.

 I didn't see anyone.

I heard music.I 

I called out with, "Hello?"

No response.

I walked over to the left of the store & saw a friendly lady sitting on a stool putting book on a shelf.

 I told her who I was & that my parents had owned the shoe store that was here at one time,

She remembered my parents & buying shoes for her family.

She was so friendly & agreed to let me take pictures.

This aisle is where the men's shoes were.

As I explored with Bobby, Kari & Ethan I got emotional for a while crying a few tears remembering what this store looked like when my parents ran their business for over 25 years.

The children's shoe corner.

Lots Buster Brown Shoes were on these shelves.

Can you believe how many books there are?

Everything was very organized.

Bobby found some of our family signatures that were on the ends of some shelves.

Fuzzy picture of my sister, Susan's, name.

attic stairs

Bobby was willing to brave the heat & take these picture of the attic area.

That is the original tin ceiling.

My parents used the attic for storage of seasonal decorations & store fixtures.

The old bank safe.  At some point in time this building was a bank.

Mother & Daddy used it for store record storage.

Occasionally it was a tornado shelter.

inside the vault

The work bench.

Where women's shoes were kept leading to the office.

This was the office.

The break room.

Ethan had as much fun as his Daddy exploring & checking everything out.

Setting in the display window where his Great Grandpa worked so hard to arrange the latest shoe styles.

Standing in the window area.

We spent about 45 minutes looking around while Hubby stayed in the car with Emma, who was sleeping.

Thanks Linda for taking our picture & letting us snoop around your book store.

Also, thank you for giving Ethan the little stuffed dog.

I want to go back in the fall when the weather is cooler & do a little shopping.

I saw lots of books & antiques that I'm interested in.

Before we left town we stopped by the lot where my high school stood.

It was a beautiful building, I wish it was still standing.

Things end, but memories last forever.

I'm linking with . . .
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