South End Superette
Here's something a bit different! I never know what I'm going to share on "Anything Goes Saturday", but not long ago I found something that I scanned, and figured that I could use those scans today.
As you can see, I have a mysterious "Handipac Prints" booklet. What's that??
Why, it's a series of black and white photo prints that have been bound (in a fashion) into a book format. The prints are perforated for handy removal; some have come loose, but most are intact. Anyway, all of the photos feature a newly-opened "South End Superette" grocery store (I wish I knew where this was, but the chain was apparently nationwide, so... no such luck). Somebody was mighty proud of this eighth wonder of the world, and took a series of 12 pictures. I'll share most of them!
Every photo features some of the refrigerated sections of the store, perhaps that was truly a miracle of modern living whenever these photos were taken (the early 1950s?). Why, you could just stroll in off the street and purchase a cold beverage! Ahhh, pure refreshment on a hot summer day.
May I offer you a can of Mor? It's mighty meaty! I think Mor was like Spam. The customer asked for Ipana toothpaste, but she took the Mor out of confusion. Also... canned hams! Keep one in your bindle just in case.
Do they have Self Service Meats in Russia? I don't think so, comrade!
Harry Truman and Dave Garroway are suitably impressed. "Fellas, just one more, and this time I want you to gaze at that meat as if it was your own newborn child!". They were up to the challenge and happy to comply.
Bacon and cold cuts always look better in black and white, as Einstein's Theory of Relativity proved (yes, that's what that was about). Now you're hungry... go make a sammich, I'll wait for you.
Wally dropped The Beav and his friends off, and they are being treated to a cold cup of fresh lemonade. "I add mustard for complexity!" explains the nice lady. The boys have no idea what she's talking about, but they appreciate her enthusiasm.
Yes, yes, quality meat, it's all very exciting.
I SAID IT'S VERY EXCITING! Well, you might as well give me a dozen frankfurters, we're having brown bread, beans, and wienies for dinner (I've just made an executive decision). My favorite! Throw in some boiled cabbage, and... *chef's kiss*.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit to the South End Superette!
8 comments:
I have one question:
What does the Wilson label protect your table FROM??
Major-
I'm feeling very 'meat deprived' all of a sudden. The Wilson label protects your table. This slogan reminds of the great line from [the original] Heaven Can Wait...
"To the world my name is Mabel
Which you'll find on every label
I am packed by E.F. Strabel
For the pleasure of your table."
It appears that Wilson's B●V is actually a... "Tasty meat flavoring - A delicious drink-Hot or Cold" Gee, what can't it do-? It would appear this 'extract of meat' is what those boys are imbibing-! (Something tells me they'd rather be chug-a-lugging some of that Schlitz or Miller High Life BEER sitting behind the serving stand rather than free samples of B●V - which sounds more at-home in a package K rations-!
Thanks (I think) Major.
Hmmm, looks like most of the "cold beverages" were wieners... and half a watermelon. "The Wilson Label Protects Your Table", proclaims the banner at the top. (As everyone has noted.)
Maybe the cold beverages are down below, behind those sturdy refrigerator doors.
They also made Dave Garroway name his firstborn male child "Mor".
I hope that's not a cow's eyeball as the centerpiece of the cold cuts tray! I bet there's some beef tongue on that tray as well. You can still get whole beef tongue in the meat department of many supermarkets; I saw some about a year ago.
Most of this stuff: canned ham, canned beef, bacon, wieners, etc., look pretty much the same today.
Looks like all the lads have their pants cuffs rolled up good and proper. I wonder what "B-V" is? it's plastered all over the place.
Sue, the Wilson label protects your table from dingos and chupacabras (and feral cats).
Nanook, B-V is "meat extract"??? Seems like it would be pretty lousy as a beverage. But pretty useful, and tasty, when making gravy, stew, or soup.
Wonderful bit of Americana, Major. Thanks!
“B-V” (I don’t know how to make that middle dot like Nanook does) reminds me of the company “Bradley, Voorhees, and Day,” and the product for which they are most well known.
Thank you, JB.
Thank you, Major, too.
Well, I was going to make a joke about how since everyone was standing in the meat department, that that drink must not have been lemonade, and instead was probably "meat juice." But then Nanook pointed out that it actually WAS meat juice. Gross! "Yes, I'd like a nice cold glass of au jus, please!"
For anyone who wants to own a can of MOR, you can buy one on ebay:
Vintage can of MOR
And here's a vintage ad for MOR:
Vintage MOR ad from 1951
I remember stores like this in small towns in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Other than updated food packaging, they still retained this sort of charm.
I really wish I had had an opportunity to try Mor. I like both Hormel’s Spam and Armour’s Treet, although I confess a preference for Spam. To quote a famous comedic sketch, “I love it!”
B●V is apparently not just a beef extract but a vegetable extract as well. More (mor?) on that HERE. It’s also still available for purchase.
Thanks for reminding me I need to go to the supermarket today, Major!
These are really great to see! Reminds of the market near the farm. The focus on self-service is interesting since earlier markets had everything behind a counter and purchases had to be requested to a clerk. Clearly a whole new world of grocery sales (cue soaring orchestral theme and soprano choir).
I keep a canned ham under my pillow, and we have cans of SPAM (Something Posing As Meat) stored in every room (behind the books in the library) and in both cars. It’s just good practice. I’m sure Harry Truman would approve. I’ve never tried TREET, maybe I’m missing something. I’ll get some Korean BBQ flavored SPAM instead and make loco moco. Hawaii runs on SPAM.
Imagine the effect on language if Monty Python had used MOR in their sketch instead? That’s another brand I remember but never tried.
Hm, BV might be an American version of Bovril? “Meat extract” sounds technical and unappetizing. Those effete Continentals call it “Bouillon” (after Geoffrey of Bouillon, the inventor) which sounds more tasty. Add a shot of vodka and some ice to make the “Bullshot” cocktail.
Major, are you having the brown bread that comes in a can? We used to get that occasionally but I haven’t seen it in the market for years.
Really enjoying this post, Major, thank you.
JG
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