THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO MY TWIN BROTHER, BILL DYKES (1943-1995). WE WERE NOT ONLY BROTHERS BUT PARTNERS IN BUSINESS AND BEST FRIENDS! AND TO ALL THE "BUTCHERS" THAT HAVE PASSED ON TO THE BIG LOT IN THE SKY!


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Friday, November 28, 2008

BALLOONMANS CHRISTMAS

WELL TODAY IS WHAT'S KNOWN AS BLACK FRIDAY!
Back in the 1970's Bill and I had a pretty sweet proposition.
We had the Santa Pictures, Stockings and a Novelty Joint
in the First Salisbury, MD Mall.
Of course I had the pleasure of "representing" Santa.
Bill took care of the Novelties and Wayne and Trisha Chambers
ran the Name on A Stocking Joint for us.
The first year Santa wore a cheap Mall Bought Santa Costume.
But the next year We purchased a custom made Santa Suit from
a Lady in Florida, NY. She also made the Suits for Macy's and other large Department Stores. It was a beautiful suit but was it HOT!
Every Saturday Morning we'd go in early and start blowing rubber.
It was a very "nice" change of pace from working outside all summer!
We kept the proposition for about 5 years but then the Mall changed management
and they decided We didn't fit the image that the new mall manager wanted.
What really happened Bill and I had a insider at the Mall that worked for one of the large Anchor Stores as a advertising manager. When the new girl took over for the Mall he lost his position with the mall. He tried to strong arm us that last year but
he got fooled and the Dykes Bros lost their Proposition!
So the next year We had a similar deal in Meadeville Pa.
TOO MUCH SNOW!
Then We started working with McCrory's 5 & 10 Stores first with Jewelry
then later The Mylar Balloons in Florida and Mississippi.
We got lucky in Hattiesburg the year the Chinese Yo-Yo hit big.
In our early years we lucked out with these type dates but now
times have changed. The Malls are all owned by Large Conglomerate Corporations and the little guy doesn't stand much of a chance.
The last thing I would like to say is where the hell did the term "Black Friday" come from?
It should be know as "GREEN FRIDAY"!
I hope you enjoy
these pictures that follow.
I know it brings back a lot of good memories for Me!

2 comments:

  1. Dick:

    Just want to let you know how much I enjoy your blog since I discovered it a few weeks ago. I enjoyed this piece about your venture in Salisbury in particular. Keep up the good work. I surf over a couple of times each week. Did you grow up in the Salisbury area?

    It's interesting how much the times have changed and how our entertainment patterns are changing so much too.

    Did you have much involvement with the Salisbury TV stations or radio back in the earlier time?

    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  2. THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT MIKE!
    MY BROTHER AND I WERE BORN AND RAISED SALISBURY BOYS! WE GRADUATED FROM WI-SR-HI IN 1962.
    IF YOU WOULD SEND ME YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS I'LL GIVE YOU MORE INFO. THANKS DICK
    dickdykes@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete


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