Am super excited to write notes + reminders on these. The characters' expressions are smile-inducing!
Found this paperpad in a dusty little shop selling miscellanies. I think that these seemingly forgotten shops are the most interesting.
Such liquor and convenient stores exist in every geographical region of the U.S. - off a lonely stretch of highway, enveloped in a sea of suburban houses, or tucked away in a city alley; ghosts until a random but desperate craving hits for a snack, late-night/morning (hey who's to say?) alcohol, or lotto ticket.
They are full of random items that one might have a use for (cowboy hat), items that are unimaginable as roadtrip necessity (flowerpot or fish food, anyone?), and items that would be normal to buy anywhere else but in such a place (tennis racket).
Oh, and don't forget the items labeled 'souvenir'/'gift'; sometimes apparel emblazoned "Hawaii" in a midwest store, and a 'Tennessee' magnet in a California store. It's a mystery if anyone actually ever buys some of the products, and more importantly, whose idea it was in the first place to sell such items. And depending on the locale, some of these stores carry ethnic snacks too, which is always a bonus.
Perusing the isles is like looking through someone's attic (dusty cracker boxes, discontinued -well you thought they were until now- products, romance and detective novels, a misplaced keychain in the candy isle). Other types of general stores are more specialized, selling half-deflated balloons, stationary, and office/mailing supplies as well; they may provide copy services, and have walls that look like the 'classified' section of a newspaper - covered in advertisements and bulletins.
Watching the exchange between store employees and customers... fascinating living museums, these places are.
