Occasionally, I still spot these little signs around our village: “Be back in…” I love seeing them and the community trust they imply. On my hunt for an image, I talked with Steve Cowles of Aaron’s Music Service on South Main Street in Vicksburg.
He—and of course his energetic little dogs—met me at the door. I told him I had an unusual request, that I was looking for a “be right back” sign.
“I’ll show you what I use,” he said and produced an armload of various handmade signs, written in black Sharpie on file folders. He showed me his large assortment, including things like “Walking the Dog, back in 5” and “At Rise n Dine” with an arrow to the right, and “At Jaspare’s” with an arrow to the left.
He shared several stories with me, stressing the wonderful relationships business owners have and the trust they have built with one another. When I suggested that small towns are great, he said “There’s nothing better.”
Throughout our travels during the past year, I am noticing the resurgence of small-town life and the important connections retailers and business people are building with their community members and with each other.
For several summers after I graduated from Vicksburg High School, I worked for Marilyn and Bill Moore at the Mercantile, their clothing and custom t-shirt shop on South Main Street. During the late 70s, Main Street was still full of retailers, and residents could still purchase just about everything in town. Dancers Department Store held varsity jackets and school clothes, Boer’s Dress Shop and the Hat and Gown were still thriving, and Turks and Rawlinson’s Appliance supplied many homes with large appliances.
I loved working for Marilyn and Bill. It was a whole Moore-family-affair. Marilyn took care of the ordering and staffing and day-to-day operations; Bill was a great maintenance and repair guy; and the four Moore children filled in, as needed. We knew nearly everyone who stepped into the store, and if we didn’t know them, we soon did.
There was a comfort and camaraderie among those shopkeepers. They often checked in with one another, discussed village affairs, and planned sidewalk sales or holiday specials.
Those summers I worked for Marilyn and Bill, the Beer and Bratwurst, now the Lion’s Summer Festival, included a parade and sidewalk sales. It was all-hands-on-deck during those busy times, and I remember the kindness and appreciation I received as I worked alongside the Moore family.
I remember many of those “Be Right Back” signs. Sometimes, like Steve Cowles today, people just taped a message on their doors. Customers understood and were, for the most part, flexible. Maybe a child needed to be picked up at school. Perhaps a quick trip to the post office was required. Sometimes a bank deposit was being made.
Occasionally, doors were even left open, and barbers would find their next client waiting in the chair. I imagine this still happens as I see one of our local barbers often pouring a quick mug of coffee at Rise n Dine!
How wonderful this companionship and comfort has returned! How fantastic to participate in local events planned by our local businesses! How lucky we are to live in small towns!
It’s a Fine Life
