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Foraloysius, i really enjoyed the film, thanks. JasonL, the Schweggmann's in Harvey sold appliances too, mostly GE, Wp. The NCR register brought back many memories, I was a hotel night auditor in the 1980's I remember having the NCR during the World's Fair in 1984, you posted, room, tax, long distance, valet, Misc (postcards). This was still, when the phone company called the desk clerks time and charges on long distance. All these categories had there own color voucher that had to be machine stamped in a slot on the NCR, as the guest folio flowed under another print surface on the left hand side. This process made so much racket that the room next to the office was not rented, until the audit was done. I got off topic but what a great thread. alr2903
 
After watching the movie from Louis' link, I realised that a lot has improved for the supermarket cashier. Did they have to stand all day? I can't remember that. And then entering all prices by hand and all payments in cash... It also brought back memories of paying with cheques ("betaalkaarten"). I had forgotten that option altogether, probably because I never used those. I always went to the post office for cash. Had to wait there every week in a 20 m long queue on Saturday morning...
 
IGA

Post 409208 above, by spankomatic, shows Vic's IGA.

Interestingly, the IGA logo is the same as IGA stores here. But IGA in Aus stands for Independent Grocers of Australia - they are not a wholly owned chain like Woolworths or Coles, they are an association of independently owned small supermarkets, and a marketing and buying group to promote and purchase stock for their supermarkets.

I wonder if there is any real connection, or if one of them just "stole" the other's logo?
 
Jason:
I used to shop at the Schewegmanns on Downman Rd and Chef Menteur. I rented a house across from the Bunny Bread factory on Downman Rd near Lakefront Airport.
That parking lot on the weekends was like the Indy 500! Take you life into your hands walking across it!
 
Theo

I can't remember cashiers here doing their work standing up. As far as I remember overhere in supermarkets they all had a swivel chair to sit on. I remember those cash registers very well. I had forgotten about the use of cheques (betaalkaarten) too, I actually used them a lot. But apparently the memory didn't last. I changed to paying with plastic as soon as it was introduced.

I remember too going to the bank or to the post office for money. I was so glad cash machines were introduced, although I remember standing in line for them also. I hated having to wait for your money and then having to wait again to spend it! Nowadays I hardly use a cash machine, I do all the paying by plastic as I said.
 
Louis,

I started using the "Chipknip" or "Chipper" as they were named by the Postbank when the euro was introduced so that I didn't have to fumble with al those unfamiliar coins (it felt like paying in a foreign country). Nowadays I don't use the "Chipknip" so much anymore because we can use PIN payments for small amounts too. The "Chipknip" still needed in our canteen, although cash is now also accepted after many complaints. Shortly after the introduction of the euro we had the strange situation that although the euro was now in use in many European countries, my Spanish colleague couldn't pay in the canteen because his bank pass didn't work there and cash was not accepted.

Because of all the electronic payments, I am still not so familiar with the euro coins as I was with the guilder coins...
 
Even after 45 years watching that video "the checker" it's interesting to see how some products have retained their packaging look you can spot them right away.. like the Campbells soups, the Draino in the funny can. And then seeing some you remember as a kid but the packaging has changed,, like the blue/white Kleenex box and the Heinz canned spaghetti etc.
 
I know what you mean about not being as familiar with the euro coins as with the guilder coins. I still use my Chipknip for parking garages etc. Some of them don't take the pin pass.

BTW, do you have memories of older Dutch supermarkets?

I remember Végé, Vivo, Centra, 4=6, de Gruijter, Simon de Wit and ofcourse back then already Albert Heijn too.
 
Yes that Hillsdale movie is also interesting with "The Farmer's Market" as "one of the gayest attractions" :-)

It appears that in the USA, supermarkets were already very common at a time that hardly anyone in the Netherlands had heard about them. At that time "Albert Heijn", our best known supermarket chain, had still small shops were the customers were individually served.

The Christmas 1956 images are also interesting for me as I was just born then...
 
Louis,

I didn't see your reply until after I had posted mine on the Hillsdale movie.

Yes, I have memories of older Dutch supermarkets (who hasn't?). The first supermarkets appeared in the 1960's and they were much smaller than the ones in the American movies. In my neighbourhood we had "Albert Heijn". First it was a shop with attendant service. Later it was moved and turned into a self-service shop. There was only one till with a small recess to place your basket in. No conveyor belt. We still did a lot of shopping at the baker, butcher, greengrocer, etc. The milkman came at the door and brought milk in a large bucket. We children got chocolate from him. Ah, those were the days...

A few streets away we have an organic food shop that has an arrangement that resembles my memories of the early "Albert Heijn" shop quite accurately.
 
There was a VéGé in my neighbourhood, but we never went there. It was a very small shop that also sold piggy banks, candle sticks, plates and other things in brown and green earthenware that looked like 17th century pieces (see image). I found that peculiar at the time and therefore I still remember it...

mielabor++1-25-2010-15-08-26.jpg
 
supermarket memories

When I was a slip of a boy I remember going to Big Bear or Fazios with my mother. She was a good bargain shopper. We always watched the checkers befor choosing one. (not sure why).She always placed items with the price label up and toward the checker, and watched the prices ring-up. She would sometimes check the tape at home and several time when back when there was a mistake. She was always polite but they were not going to cheat her out of 59 cents ! JEB
 
Petek

I remember Loblaws when we used to go to my grandmother's cottage in Ontario (Sunset Bay). I believe it was in Port Colborne (there was an A & W there too IIRC).

Super Duper was pretty much the place to shop when I was a kid. Then Wegman's came in when I was a teen. This Super Duper pic was obviously newer 'cause we didn't have videos, MAC machines, or those cars!

Chuck

perc-o-prince++1-27-2010-08-31-52.jpg
 

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