One Small Mall

  Malls have been going through some
tough times lately. I wonder if it's
because some just got too big for their
britches?
  I saw a special on television the other
night about the borough of West
Pittston.
  I've always like the town. I walk there
often, when weather permits.
  The special highlighted the history of
the community as well as some of the
merchants that call West Pittston home.
   I especially liked the segments on
Blue Ribbon Dairy and Ballyhoo's, two
old fashion Ice Cream parlors in the
same town. That's reason enough to go
there.
   But there's two other business places
that didn't make it to the TV show. And
they're an interesting combination that
sit side-by-side in what I've come to
call the Small Mall.
   It's an old brick building easily
missed if you drive by too quickly.
One side holds an old fashion Barber
shop straight out of the 50's and 60's
while the other boosts a Vacuum
Cleaner sales and repair store.
    I guess you could say they're both
"cleaning up."
    At a time when men and women
are looking for Stylists to get their
hair done and most folks head to
Walmart for a new unit whenever
their Bissell breaks, you've got to
wonder what keeps small shops like
these going.
     The barber and the shop keeper
say it's service and the loyalty of
their regular customers.
      I suspect price may have something
to do with it too. A shave and a haircut
may not be "two bits" anymore. But
10 bucks seems like a bargain compared
to some of those fancy stylist places.
     Whatever the secret it's kind of neat
to see a couple of "small guys" making
a go of it even if they're not making a
million!
      Hope they keep on keeping on and
that all your NEWS is good!