Carter’s Country Supercenter in Guymon is opening on Sept. 3. And they’ll have plenty of shopping carts for their shoppers. Here’s an interesting story about the shopping cart.
An Oklahoma entrepreneur used a simple folding chair to change the way the world shopped. In the late 1930s, Sylvan Goldman was trying to find a way to increase sales. At his two grocery store chains in the Oklahoma City area, Standard and Humpty Dumpty, he noticed when the wire hand baskets became heavy, most customers headed for the checkout.
Goldman imagined this problem could be remedied if shoppers had a way to conveniently carry more items through the aisles. Puzzling over the problem in his office one evening, he was struck by inspiration when a simple wooden folding chair caught his eye. What if that chair had wheels on the bottom and a basket attached to the seat? Or two baskets?
The grocer explained his idea to Fred Young, a carpenter and handyman who worked at the store, and Young began tinkering. After many months and many prototypes, they hit on a design they thought might work. Goldman’s first carts used metal frames that held two enormous baskets 19 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 9 inches deep. When not in use, the baskets could be removed and stacked, and the frames folded up to a depth of only five inches, preserving retail floor space.
His customers were reluctant to use the new contraptions at first. He then hired models of various ages to shop with his “folding carrier baskets.” Eventually they caught on. In 1937, Goldman founded the Folding Carrier Basket Company to manufacture his carts for other stores. They became so popular that by 1940 he was faced with a seven – year backlog of new orders.
Famous Okie information: Chad Richison founded Paycom in 1998. It is one of the first companies to process payroll completely online and has been recognized by Fortune, Forbes and Inc. Magazine for its continued growth as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. A native Oklahoman, Richison was born in Tuttle, graduated from Tuttle High School, and holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma. Richison lives with his family in Edmond, Okla., and is deeply involved in his community.
Keep going on New Years resolutions: Let go of grudges and leave hate behind.
Made me laugh: “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” ~Will Rogers
Aug. 31 the Main Street Cash Mob is hitting the Golden Crown. The mobsters, who are all volunteers that promise to spend a minimum of $20 at each monthly mob, will be able to go to Golden Crown and view online and can even get curbside service if they are COVID weary. The group is so happy to get back to their retail therapy! Anyone who wishes can be a part of the Main Street Cash Mob. Just contact Melyn Johnson, Director@MainStreetGuymon.com, if you would like to be a part of this fun group.
On Sept. 14 a circus is coming to Guymon. And on Sept. 18 is the Guymon High School homecoming.
Go by and visit Carter’s at 1902 N. Academy in Guymon.
See you on the bricks, soon! Stay safe.