UGA freshmen didn’t have cars back in 1966, so my best transportation was wearing out the leather on the bottoms of my oxblood Weejuns. One of my favorite destinations was Clayton Street, after a brief stop at the Varsity on the corner of College Avenue and Broad Street.
There were other men’s stores, but the big three were: Dick Ferguson’s, Gunn’s, along with West
Wayne Dean, who took over from his father, George, wasn’t quite ready to retire, but Zaxby’s really wanted his location in the middle of downtown. With 45 years of retailing, he’s pushing in the clutch and shifting to another gear of selling. He’ll keep his lines of merchandise and sell on an individual basis to his loyal customers.
Since moving back to Athens in 1990, I’ve depended on Dick, Wayne and Gene Lewis at Lamar Lewis Shoes to keep me attired. I like going into their stores. You know them, and they know you. They don’t have to ask what size, and they know my personal tastes. And they’ll send me a bill at the end of the month.
One of my favorite services they offer is modern-day Pony Express. With a call, Dick, Wayne, Gene or one of their associates will be standing outside with my merchandise. All I have to do is stick my left hand out as I drive by. There’s absolutely nothing to compare to hometown service.
I joke with Dick that I do my initial shopping with him, through his windows, on the way to Beechwood Cinemas. Wednesday, our son Eric and I visited George Dean’s one more time. First, we stood on the Clayton Street sidewalk, perusing what was in the window, just as I did in 1966. Eric still calls Wayne “Coach,” from Little League days.
Once inside 227 East Clayton Street, I paused and took it all in. The high ceiling, the smell of new clothes and that nostalgic feel that took me back, way back. It was old-home week, visiting, laughing, backslapping and reminiscing. And, of course, we had to buy a few things. I repeat: there’s absolutely nothing to compare to hometown service.
