So, I was reminded recently of a lot of stuff that happened at my old Crown Books. One of them was a skinhead cashier I'll call "Rich ( Read more... )

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In 1988, I was manager of the Crown Book store in Rose Hill, Alexandria. Our shopping center shared space with many places that have long since been removed when I was last there. We had a Subways, a 6-12 AND a 7-11, a Little Ceaser's (Pizza Pizza), and a Roy Rogers. I usually went to Subway's for lunch, because most of the shopping center ( Read more... )

While browsing through my den, I came across an aged, but barely used copy of Anton LaVey's "Satanic Bible." I have read it, but I hadn't opened the pages since probably 1991 or earlier. How I came across it is a rather odd tale ( Read more... )

I am reading a book, a gift from my friend Neal, about working retail. I like the book, although as a former retail manager, I can see what the author's problem is and why he was so miserable. I have always had good customer response on average. My first retail job, I was working Crown Books in McLean. Good ol' #803. I recall the first day I ( Read more... )

It occurred to me today that every retail chain I ever worked for is now gone ( Read more... )

I almost got fired once due to a shift change when I worked at Crown Books. I had a Saturday and Sunday off to see my fiancee in West Viorgina for the weekend. After I left early Friday. My boss had an emergency and scheduled me for Sunday in place of him, forgetting the fact I was out of town. Well, come Sunday, no one was there to open the ( Read more... )

I will always attest that retail is not something that one chooses in life, but rather, something that happens to you. I mean, retail is fine for a first job, or maybe some extra Chritmas money, but in essence, retail can suck when you have no other options. I did almost 9 years of retail. I started out at a book store. After 2 months of ( Read more... )