This Used to Be My Happy Place | by Debbie Norrell

The year was 1969 and it was time for me to get a job. My mom was a believer in “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” so as soon as I was of legal age to work, she carted me off to the nearest place for me to get a job. That first job was G.C. Murphy’s in East Hills and it was a lot of fun. That is where I learned how to wait on customers and count back change, these are two things that have just about disappeared. My second job in life besides modeling for the three department stores in downtown Pittsburgh was Toyco in Monroeville Mall. The mall was brand new at that time and was a vibrant place. If you are old enough to remember the Pub-a-go-go and the ice- skating rink inside of Monroeville Mall should immediately comes to mind. I worked at several stores at Monroeville Mall over the years, The Ormond Shop, Horne’s and Susan Ives Ups and Downs. There was a time when I was going through a rough patch in my life and I would go to the mall each night after work and yes I came home with a bag. My car was on autopilot to the mall. I always felt so good when I got there it was like I was at home. Last week I went to Monroeville Mall to walk and survey what stores were left. This was after the shooting outside of Party City. There were cars in the parking lot but not a lot of traffic inside the mall. A lot of the major chains have disappeared, and the movie theatre has not reopened. There is a place to throw axes, box or watch boxing, shoot pool and play ping pong. I think every area needs a mall and I can’t imagine not having a mall near my home. After the incidents that have happened in Monroeville, I worry that the mall east of the city may go in the direction of Century 111. During the spring while the mall was closed I used the mall as my walking trail. Stores are closing everywhere and more shopping is being done online but I still want my happy place to remain.

Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com

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