In November 1998 The Block of Orange became a reality to everyone involved. And that included us called to help make up the places to work. Borders was one of the first buildings to be more done then the others, our breaks included trips down there for my favorite coffee chocolate drinks all frozen up with goodness. Even in November, come on its California!
So we got to build this lovely store. It took us a few days. The biggest thing we had to make was the shelves. We would all gather in groups and pull the white shelves from where they were and put them together. I was a little thing but not afraid to get dirty. It was kinda of magical watching a store get built.
Is that anything less then watching a baby get born? Creation being made in the beginning? Or a book being created? Building a store is wonderful. I have also torren a story down, thats another story all together.
Then came the fun part. Putting out the toys. Lots of toys, games and fun things. They each had a section which we learned partly as we went along the way. This goes here, that goes there. Here and there and everywhere they went. Toys toys.
Back in the late 90's Beanie Babies were the biggest thing still! We had them in the front of the store behind the register. People would line up outside the store once it was open just to see which beanie we had. When Princess Diana Bear came out it was so popular! I joked about getting one but I didnt really collect beanie babies back then. I just thought they were cute. When Princess Dianna sadly died, the bear became that much harder to get a hold of and people wanted it all the more.
Also popular back then was things like the mini skateboards that even came with their own ramps! And of course as mentioned the ever popular Furbies. I researched it and said that Furbies sold 40 million in the 3 yrs they were out. 1.8 the first year. Follow my last blogs link for that one!
One more popular thing was yo yo's. You wouldnt believe how popular this simple thing was because it was more complicated. Kids would come in to collect the latest ones they loved them!!
And I think Tickle Me Elmo was still popular in 1998 as it was when it first came out in 1996. I recall the crazy stuff with Elmo and we were in the middle of it. Between Furbies & Elmo we were all set for the nut cases of the world. And of course Beanie Babies. Lest I never forget.
Ah to open a store again...what a day that would be. What was life like inside my first retail job?
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