Although I had planned two more posts on R.T. and company, I took a hard look at what’s left and if this computer interface is willing I’ll post it all in this the 7th and last one. I found the Kalb story very interesting and hope you all have as well.
Much thanks to our collector extraordinaire, Martin Fischer, the new owners of Kalb Electric, Angie and Larry McAteer and anyone else whose material I’ve used in these posts.
I quite like this post, winding up with the unexpected view through the window to something long obscured. Bravo!
I remember the furniture store there. We bought a waterbed from them. Don’t believe it was Carol House though.
Tom, thank you very much for your comments. I appreciate your input.
The building on the west side of the car dealership at Martini Drive and Manchester was a furniture and rug store in the mid 1960’s. They also had a Valley Park location if I remember correctly. It could be related to Carol House but I’m just making the leap because Carol House is in Valley Park now.
The car dealership was Cavalier Ford and also Roper Ford before it was the ownership that eventually sold out. And on the southeast corner where CVS is now was a restaurant like a Shoneys built in the 1970’s I’d guess before the car dealership bought it for their used car lot.
Hi Mary, I remember the furniture store as well or at least a store selling waterbeds. This was probably in the early 1970’s. Even then the facade had been clumsily remodeled earlier. The windows had all been completely covered by whatever type of opaque (stucco?) material the remuddlers had used. It was impossible to tell what sort of windows the building had once had. I’m glad that sort of clueless renovation is a thing of the past.
The “dagger” could very likely be a letter opener. Looks to be flat on one side. Letter openers were very common as gifts back then. I have one from the Maplewood Mill.
You are correct, Scott. It’s definitely a letter opener. I would appreciate it if you could email me a photo of your Maplewood Mill letter opener. I’ll add it to the digital pile.