MY GRANDPARENT'S HARNESS STORE

MY GRANDFATHER ON MY DAD'S SIDE OPENED A STORE IN TROY OHIO WHERE MY BROTHER AND I GREW UP. THE STORE STARTED OUT AS A HARNESS AND FEED STORE. MY GRANDFATHER MADE HARNESSES FROM SCRATCH AND HE MEASURED THE HORSES IN ORDER TO GET A PERFECT FIT. HIS LEATHER CRAFT AREA WAS ON THE SECOND STORY OF THE STORE. MY GRANDMOTHER HELPED IN ORGANIZING AND KEEPING UP THE STORE. I BELIEVE IT WAS OPERATED FROM ABOUT 1949 TO 1956.

MY FATHER, MOTHER, AND UNCLE WORKED AT THE STORE WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG. THEY HELPED WITH SALES AND DOING INVENTORY. MY MOM HELPED WITH ACCOUNTING. IN THE LATER YEARS THEY SOLD ALL KINDS OF WESTERN CLOTHING, COWBOY BOOTS, AND LEATHER FRINGE JACKETS. WE SPENT SOME SUMMERS IN THE UPSTAIRS PLAYING WITH TOYS AND RIDING OUR TRICYCLES.

DURING THE EARLY YEARS THE STORE DID WELL, AS IT WAS ONE OF A KIND IN THE AREA. HOWEVER, LATER ON WHEN OTHER STORES OPENED THAT SOLD SIMILAR ITEMS THEY LOST SOME CUSTOMERS.

AFTER WORK THE MEN WOULD GATHER WITH OTHERS FROM THE TOWN AND SMOKE, DRINK, AND SOCIALIZE WITH CARD GAMES.

THE WOMEN GATHERED TOGETHER AT MY UNCLE'S HOUSE TO SEW, MAKE QUILTS AND DO ART PROJECTS.

THESE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN LIFE WAS PRETTY SLOW. TROY WAS A COUNTY SEAT AND HAD ONLY ABOUT 10,000 RESIDENTS. THEY EVENTUALLY WENT BANKRUPT AS THE COMPETITION GREW.