When I was a kid growing up in East Rogers Park, a car ride was a luxury. Spending my weekly allowance meant a walk to Frankfort’s or Mesirow’s, the corner drugstores. I’d buy baseball cards, comic books, candy bars, and the annual Mother’s Day card. When I needed to make a bigger purchase — like a gift to go with the Mother’s Day Cards — I’d walk a little further and spend my money at Charles Variety Store.

Charles Variety was a neighborhood landmark. Set on Morse Avenue, across from the Jewel and just down the street from Ashkenaz, Charles was my Woolworths, Walgreens, and Marshall Fields all rolled into one. At the register, my nickels, dimes, quarters, and crushed dollar bills would tumble out of my pocket as I paid for my necessities and extravagances.

Today when I need something in a hurry it’s a different world. I sit at my desk or at the kitchen counter, log into Amazon, and in five minutes I have placed my order. Simpler, but is it a better way? Let’s compare my purchasing now, to my purchasing way back when.

Who wins? It’s not even close (though I won’t give up my Prime account!)

I haven’t driven down Morse Avenue lately. I don’t know if any of the old stores still exist. But if they do, look in to see if you can find the 10-year-old kid with a quarter in his pocket and a hankering for a piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum.

---