I moved from my hometown more than sixty years ago. Urban Renewal went through and everything changed. I recall stories of my grandfather going out and getting lost. His memory was not that bad, but the landmarks he was so used to seeing disappeared. Once I saw what had happened in Dunkirk, I could understand his dilemma.

Stores were no longer there. In some cases, nothing replaced them. It must have been very confusing to the old folks at that time.

Two years ago, when I returned for a class reunion, I took the time to ride around the area. My husband and I went to look at my grandparents’ home. It is still there, but the neighborhood looks different than it used to. I also swung by where my great-grandmother lived. Her home was at the end of Monroe Street and it was still there.

I swung by the old high school. It is now the middle school. The old part of the building was gone. I went to Jr. High there.

Even the entrance to The Point beach area is different. The road now runs the opposite direction.

I grew up attending the Grace Lutheran Church at the corner of Eagle Street and Sixth. It was a beautiful church with very high ceilings. When I attended there, we held our services in the large church area. I always dreamed about walking up that aisle to get married. That never happened because by that time I was living in Frewsburg, NY and attending the Zion Lutheran Church.

I think of the stores that used to be part of the Jamestown area. I bought my wedding dress at Bigelow’s. At that time there were many stores that are no longer there. Jamestown was not torn apart but all the stores closed. Some of the last to go were the bakeries. I remember Billings Bakery in the downtown area. We went there for Scorper and other tasty treats. My wedding cake from a bakery on North Main Street. I sent for the topper and took it to them. I knew nothing of Ecklof’s Bakery at the time. I do remember going to Rockman’s for my groceries.

The same thing happened in the Warren area. When I first moved here there were many stores in the downtown area. My children took guitar lessons at the Biekarck Music Store. I left them for lessons and went shopping. After they finished, we often picked up a pizza to take home for supper.

Of course, I remember the Christmas walk with all the stores participating. Groups set up displays in the store windows. The Public Library often had a display as well. One year it was toy trains and another it was carousel horses.

The evening always wound down at the Library Theatre with entertainment there. Although most of the stores are gone, the walk still takes place.

This piece is written for people more than sixty years old. I hope it brings back many memories. I know I have readers from all over so whatever town you lived in I hope I gave you something to remember.

I remember being excited when the malls opened. Now even those are struggling. COVID changed everything – even our shopping habits. Now, the on-line stores have more presence than ever. I don’t know about you, but there are some things I like to try on before I purchase them. There is no substitute for being able to feel the material either.

Even Erie has seen changes. The mall there has seen closures as well. We used to take the TWAC bus to Erie, but that ceased during COVID. I miss that. It made such a nice day with friends. We also ate lunch in one of the restaurants so that was a treat.

Oh, well – all things change. We just have to get used to it!

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.