Growing Up in Needham

I hesitated to join Facebook for several years, but finally "caved in" about a year ago.  I’ve enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends, and have learned how to keep information I don’t want from showing up on my page.  But, I have to say, this week was the first time that I truly enjoyed being on Facebook, and its all because of Needham. 

As a graduate of Needham High School, I joined a page for Needham High alumni.  This week, one person posted “What stores do you remember from your childhood in Needham?” and that one post generated almost 500 responses in just a few days!  Of course, the first stores posted tended to be the ones that sold candy, but as time went on, just about every category of business in Needham was covered. Many of us used money from our piggy banks to shop for gifts at Grant’s or Woolworth’s and take a few extra spins on the stools at the Woolworth’s lunch counter on the way to check out the fish tanks.  We were also regulars at the various music stores, purchasing our 45’s or taking music lessons.  Calvert’s, Kinne’s Pharmacy, the Crest, Winslow Nurseries, the First National, Gino’s, Perlins, Convenient, the Needham movie theater and Walker Dairy were just a few that were remembered but are gone.  Roche Bros., Taylor’s, Harvey’s Hardware, Friendly’s and House of Pizza are still with us and supportive of us all.  Scorby’s Camera and Needham Bowl-A-Way are just leaving after so many years of service to the community.  All of these names just touch the surface of what was mentioned, and I’m sure readers can add many more, just as the members of the Facebook page did so quickly. 

This initial question led to “Where was your first job?” and many of these same stores were mentioned, as were Park and Recreation, Needham Motor Inn, Carters, Hamilton House, Briarwood, Brines, Edie’s, and Baskin Robbins to name a few.  So many people who responded on Facebook mentioned family members who had owned the businesses or worked at them, which made the stories even more special.   A few noted how much was taught by full-time employees or how nice a certain person at a counter always was to children.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and aren’t so many of us lucky – yesterday and today – to grow up in our “village” of Needham.  Our families, our neighbors, our teachers, and religious affiliations all certainly helped us, but the Needham business community has also been a partner in raising us and we shouldn’t forget them.  Thank you to all of them – from many generations of Needham children.  Shop Needham First!