Somewhere across America, on one of those 24-hour Christmas music radio stations, The Carpenters' holiday hit "Merry Christmas, Darling" is playing- let's tune in for a moment...
"Greeting cards have all been sent, and thank goodness you licked the envelopes, Darling"... Wait, that's not quite right! Let's listen again...
"Greeting cards have all been sent, and thank goodness you licked the Darling envelopes..." Still sounds wrong, right? But in this case it is right- since the holiday greeting inside this matchbook actually comes from the Darling Envelope Corporation, once located right here in the KC Matchgirl's hometown. Their envelopes may have been darling, but their competitor, Tension Envelope, had the larger facility just a few blocks away and eventually bought out the corporation in 1999.
This swinging 60's Santa was a stock design for the Lion Match Corporation, which also had a location in KC, MO when this book was produced. This style was easily customized by printing the inside cover with a company logo and address.
The usually benevolent Santa seems a little stingy with his greeting though, only offering Darling's clients a "Happy Holiday". If he has only included an "s", New Year's happiness could have been offered as well.
Chances are that all the Darling envelopes that once traveled the mailways have been signed, sealed, delivered- and tossed. But thanks to collectors, at least this matchbook remains to continue its holiday message year after year.
Note: The Darling Envelope Corporation was located at 2018 Washington Ave. This 40 count front-strike cover can be dated prior to 1973. 2018 Washington currently houses an employment agency.
The old saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" sums up the short retail life of the Venture department store retail chain.
Current discount retail giants Walmart, K-Mart and Target, all founded in 1962, were well established when the concept for a new department store was developed. John Geisse, formerly with Target, and Dave Babcock, of May department stores met in 1968 and figured they had the experience to open their own stores, the aptly named "Venture". In 1970, the first store opened in St. Louis, Missouri and within a few years began expanding into Kansas City and Chicago. At that time, there were no Targets in those areas and Walmart only operated in smaller towns.
During the 1970's and 1980's, Venture stores dominated suburban strip malls, where their black and white diagonal striped signage and facade made a bold impact.
The KC Matchgirl recalls many shopping ventures into Venture, taking home her bargains (record albums for $2.99!) in those black and white striped sacks.
By 1990, Venture ventured into Texas, opening multiple stores at the same time. But by then Texas shoppers were loyal to K-Mart and Walmart, and the venture failed. Venture sold their Texas locations to K-Mart in 1996. While re-grouping to focus on their original stores, the straight, bold lines that had defined Venture for so many years were softened to wavy lines, like a U.S. flag in the wind, in 1997. But Kansas City shoppers never saw the new design, as Venture filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 1998 and all stores closed for good 4 months later.
Venture's adventure in discount retailing lasted less than 30 years.
Note: This front strike matchbook dates from 1970-1973. It is blank on the inside and would have been distributed at all locations.
A concrete dinosaur, fiberglass jackalope, and free ice water made the world's largest drug store the best travel stop ever. But back in 1931, the now-famous Wall Drug was just a tiny storefront in a dusty little town nestled in a no-man's land.
Ted Hustead, a pharmacist from farther east, had moved his young family out west to Wall, South Dakota and purchased the town's only drug store, eking out a meager living, dependent on the local townsfolk that might need an occasional prescription. By 1936, on a hot and dusty afternoon made even more miserable watching travelers stream past the town without stopping, Dorothy Hustead figured a few travelers might stop if the store offered free ice water. Ted was not so optimistic, but nevertheless made up some signs and set out to post them along the roadway.
The story goes that by the time Ted returned to the store, Dorothy was busy chipping ice to serve the line of thirsty travelers that had formed- a few even decided they were more than thirsty and bought some ice cream. Dorothy's simple idea had the store full of customers every day since. Over the years, they hired more employees and expanded the store to offer more than drugs and sundries.
By the 1960's, son Bill Hustead, who had grown up serving the throng of thirsty travelers, expanded the store even more, adding souvenirs and attractions- like the 80 ft. tall concrete dinosaur at the I-90 exit ramp and the oversized (6 ft) jackalope big enough for kids to sit on. Long before cell phones and selfies, Wall Drug had created a variety of photo ops to lure travelers and entertain the kids.
The entire Wall Drug complex covers 76,000 sq. ft. in a town with only 800 residents, and most likely 799 of them have worked at Wall Drug one time or another, serving cup after cup of free ice water.
Note: Wall Drug is located at 510 Main Street, but all you really need to do is follow the signs, and look for the big green dinosaur.
What makes the Happy Chef so happy? Is it the wooden spoon he waves over his head? Is it his dapper orange vest? Or maybe his white suit with nary a food stain?
Certainly he had to be happy that once there were 63 Happy Chef Restaurants dotted across the Midwest. The first one in Mankato, Minnesota opened its doors in 1963, when not one, but 3, happy chefs started serving family favorites. Tom Frederick Sr. was joined by brothers Bob and Sal, and soon they were able to purchase other restaurants in nearby cities, eventually spreading to Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri.
Each location had its own 36 ft. tall Happy Chef out front that would "talk" if customers pushed a button. Apparently, the message could be recorded at the local manager's whim because there was no standard message playing at each location.
The KC Matchgirl had her own brush with the famed Happy Chef many years ago. Turns out that the local Happy Chef Restaurant was in the path along the way to her grandparents house in nearby Raytown. After a while, it became quite the landmark for the 2 kids in the back seat of the family car, and one of us, or both, would have to exclaim, "Look, it's the Happy Chef!" My dad was game to try different restaurants from time to time, so we did actually stop once and "Dine at the Sign". For some reason, I don't recall hearing the Chef talk during that visit- maybe we didn't know you had to push a button or it just wasn't working. The most vivid memory was getting to take home a new matchbook!
We never made it back before the restaurant was shuttered and dark, and the Happy Chef was removed- Gone!
But my story does have a happy ending. While nearly every Happy Chef location has been sold or closed over the years, one still remains. If you're ever in Mankato, look for the original Happy Chef. He's still waving his spoon, and happy as ever to be your chef.
Notes: Visit the original Happy Chef restaurant at 51646 US Hiway 169, Mankato, MN
The Kansas City Happy Chef stood just outside the main entrance of the Blue Ridge Mall. The restaurant was remodeled and operated as a ChiChi's Mexican restaurant for many years. The mall and restaurant buildings were closed over a decade ago and demolished for new development.
Weary traveler, take a hint from this sleepy bear, seeking out the closest TraveLodge for a good night's rest.
Wait! That's not just a sleepy bear, but Sleepy Bear- the mascot for one of the oldest motel chains. Founded in 1939 by Scott King, the first location in San Diego grew and was soon found in major cities across the United States. Sleepy Bear made his appearance around 1954 and was soon featured on all promotional items, from motel signs to, yes, matchbooks.
Unlike other motel chains that built on the outskirts of town and featured full amenities such as pools, restaurants, and lounges to lure travelers off the freeway, TraveLodge had in-town or even downtown locations, where a traveler would have a range of restaurants and lounges nearby to choose from. Comfort and convenience were key, along with cleanliness, friendliness, and courtesy. Simmon's "Beauty Rest" mattresses ensured the "Best Rest...East or West".
Over the years, Sleepy Bear became less prominent and disappeared from signs as logos and even Sleepy Bear was redesigned- to be fluffier (more Teddy Bear-like) and ready to rest in his blue nightshirt and nightcap. More recently, Sleepy has been featured in character-themed rooms for kids called Sleepy Bear Dens, with bedspreads, curtains, even lampshades featuring the drowsy bear.
By 2006. Travelodge became part of the Wyndham Hotel Group, which now owns other iconic motels chains such as Howard Johnson's and Ramada. World-wide, there are currently over 4000 Travelodge motels. As for Sleepy Bear, he still checks into Travelodge, but is considerably more alert-looking these days- because he finally gets that good night's sleep he's needed!
Notes: This TraveLodge matchbook dates to the early 1960's.
The Kansas City Travelodge stood for many years at 10th & Cherry. Before the motel's recent demolition, it operated as the Cherry Street Inn. The only Travelodge in Kansas City is actually located in Platte City, near the airport.
