“You need some retail experience” was the reply I got for my very first interview with Borders Books. My first job had been working for 2 weeks at the Orange County Fair on the weekends, more food cashier. Then I worked for AMC Movie Theater in Fullerton for 5 months during the last few months of my senior year of high school. So when I was in the beginning of college and trying to find a new job what an opportunity came up! A new outdoor mall called “The Block of Orange” opened up. Imagine all these stores, a movie theater, and food places! Sadly although I wanted to try out retail Borders wouldn’t give me a shot. So I ended up taking a job at a pizza place instead. But I also had tried a toys international that was opening up even though they didn’t think they could hire me. At the time they liked me, but forgot about me. So I was set to start training for pizza’s.
That’s when I got thee call. No not Borders! The toystore! Turns out they remembered me but didn’t meant to forget me. How nice. So I had my interview and began training almost immediately. Even though The Block hadn’t opened yet, we trained at a store called “Play Co” in Orange until Toys International opened. It was like a sister store and gave us the chance to train on register and learn some of the things you need to know for the toy business. Immediately I felt my calling, it was retail! Yeah you heard me right CALLING. I am great at this business, just truly hate it! And its not for me forever, it’s the only hope I have now looking at almost 8yrs of retail experience. But back to that first job and those first days.
Our only fast food place was a Del Taco that was just across the lot. So when we worked I would walk there on my lunches, and get cheap taco’s before coming back. I began to make friends quickly with 2 guys there. A shorter and younger kid named Austin, blonde hair and lived in Garden Grove. Later we discovered also went to the same high school as my cousin did. And my even greater friend a tall 18 year guy (so like my age) named Philip. Philip swore a lot which I wasn’t used to but we had the best fun ever! We loved putting out stock together and having fun and laughing. I knew we had a bond I didn’t get in high school. I mean I was friends with guys this was a co-worker bond I hadn’t had since this guy named Chris since the movie theater. Don’t ask me why they were always guys…haha.
1998 was the year of the Furby. Do you recall those little freaky things? EVERYONE wanted them! It was the craziest thing to hit the streets but these little creatures talked their own language but was able to talk and learn more words. They slept, and woke up, and looked like gremlins without any arms! Trust me they were a kick in the pants. Well we ended up buying one each, and my aunt was opposed she bought a bunch more. If you don’t believe me about this craze with people keeping them in boxes and selling them, look it up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furby
One time there were these kids in the middle of the section of the store. They were goofing off and they weren’t little maybe like grammar school children. Goofing off meaning throwing a ball back and fourth. I was all alone at the time and went over and I was like just made that face at them. They realized I worked there! You should have seen their faces.
I think the worse thing about working that store especially was stocking the different toys. Now if you have ever worked a toy store imagine the kinds of toys you could have. Plus we had a ton of games too! It was insane. I never complained once. I had fun, made friends and was all set for our move to the Block of Orange.
My chance would come…and I would get to help build a place that I called home for just a few months.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment