Friday, March 7, 2014

The Drapery Lady of Peoria




She seems to dress in huge swathes of drapery material or some kind of non-garment fabric.

If you ever encounter this lady, you'll never forget it. I saw her at Schnucks a year ago, and tonight saw her at Naturally Yours Grocery. 

Her outfits make her seem like a ship sailing the sea. 

The first time I saw her, I was talking to her and she suddenly burst out with a shriek that made me jump out of my skin.

If you ever see her, try talking to her. You'll get a very weird vibe, that's for sure. I'm so curious as to what makes her this way.

When I posted this photo on Facebook, the first comment I got was "how much merchandise was under that outfit?" Is this a shoplifter? What is that bulge under her arm?

Monday, March 3, 2014

Fanny May Chocolate Store






Current location of Fannie May Fine Chocolates store in Sheridan Village.

The first Fannie May store opened in Chicago in 1920. They have never changed their original recipes for chocolates in all these years.

I recall as a kid going to the former location of Fannie May, over by Bergners. It was like a hospital, all clean and white, with unusual scents that overpowered my senses and made me feel I was in some kind of chocolate laboratory, a very serious and special place, and highly exalted above your typical candy store. You would take a number and wait your turn. It was actually a kind of ritualistic type event and a mysterious hush prevailed. Even the fancy white boxes were unique.

My mom used to give people boxes of Fannie May candy as gifts when they did something for her and for Christmas.

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