Time Capsule 1969: Digging Deep into a Year of Massive Change and Groovy Vibes

Hey everyone, Adrian Duarte here! Let's take a wild ride back to 1969. This wasn't my era either, but I'm absolutely fascinated by it. There's just something about 1969—it feels like a cultural explosion, a year of incredible highs and some heartbreaking lows, all wrapped up in a truly transitional time. So, let's grab our virtual time machines and dive deep into everything that made 1969 unforgettable.

Cost of Living in '69
Okay, first off, can we talk about the cost of living? It's mind-blowing! The average yearly income was $9,433 and minimum wage was just $1.60 per hour. A new home? A "whopping" $27,900. An 18-inch color TV was $288, a Polaroid camera $23.68, Foster Grant sunglasses $1.68 and a postage stamp $0.06. Gas was $0.35 a gallon, a movie ticket $1.42 and a whole pound of Oreo cookies? Only $0.51! Just imagine what you could have bought with that income compared to now.

Popular Books of 1969
The literary scene was incredible. We had "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo, "The Andromeda Strain" by Michael Crichton and "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin. What a lineup! Each of these books left a huge mark on literature and still resonates today.

Billboard Hits That Defined the Year
Oh, the music! The airwaves were filled with "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension, "I Can't Get Next to You" by The Temptations, "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones, "Everyday People" and "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly & The Family Stone, "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" by Tom Jones. This soundtrack is pure joy and speaks volumes about the era.

Top News That Shook the Nation
Richard M. Nixon was president, with Spiro T. Agnew as vice president. The U.S. population was about 202.7 million and the world population was around 3.6 billion. Tragedy struck when a rocket accidentally detonated on the USS Enterprise in Pearl Harbor, killing 27 and injuring over 300. Golda Meir became Israel's first female prime minister. The horrific Sharon Tate murders by Charles Manson's followers shocked the nation. But there was also triumph! "The Eagle has landed!" Apollo 11 made it to the moon and Neil Armstrong took his first steps, watched by 500 million worldwide. Finally, the Chappaquiddick incident with Ted Kennedy created a huge national scandal.

Pop Culture Moments That Changed Everything
The Beatles gave their last public performance on the roof of Apple Records and released "Abbey Road," a masterpiece. John Lennon and Yoko Ono got married. Woodstock brought half a million people together for a weekend of peace and music. Willie Mays hit his 600th career home run. And let's not forget the premieres of "Scooby-Doo," "The Brady Bunch," and "Sesame Street!" Pop culture was on fire!

Sports Highlights of 1969
The NY Mets won the World Series, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Pro Football title, the Boston Celtics took the NBA Championship and the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. Rod Laver and Ann Haydon Jones won at Wimbledon, UCLA Bruins won the NCAA Basketball Championship and Texas Longhorns won the NCAA Football Championship. Steve Owens won the Heisman Trophy, George Archer won the PGA Masters, Majestic Prince won the Kentucky Derby and Mario Andretti won the Indy 500.

Top TV Shows
"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," "The Red Skelton Hour," "Gunsmoke," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Here's Lucy," "Bonanza," "Mayberry R.F.D.," "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color," "Family Affair," and "The Doris Day Show" dominated TV screens. These shows offered a mix of comedy, drama and family entertainment that defined the era.

Oscar Winners of 1969
"Midnight Cowboy" won Best Picture. John Wayne won Best Actor for "True Grit," Maggie Smith won Best Actress for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," Gig Young won Best Supporting Actor for "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?," and Goldie Hawn won Best Supporting Actress for "Cactus Flower." A star-studded year!

Popular Toys and Cars
Kids loved G.I. Joe, telescopes, Knit-O-Matic, Betsy Wetsy doll, Corgi die-cast vehicles, Wham-O Shrink Machine, Barbie and Lite-Brite. And the cars! Classics like the Chevrolet Chevelle, Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, Pontiac GTO, Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Camaro and Plymouth Road Runner were cruising the streets.

The Magazine Scene
TV Guide featured "The Mod Squad," Life covered the Apollo 11 mission, Sports Illustrated showcased the World Series and Lew Alcindor, Time delved into the Chappaquiddick incident, Tiger Beat spotlighted Bobby Sherman and Circus magazine featured Frank Zappa. These magazines captured the essence of the era perfectly.

1969 was a whirlwind of events, culture and change. It was a year of contrasts—amazing achievements alongside tragic moments. I've had an incredible time exploring this year with you all. What strikes you most about 1969? Share your thoughts in the comments! And if you loved this deep dive and want more explorations into different eras, or if you're feeling generous and want to support my historical adventures, a small contribution would be greatly appreciated—it helps keep this blog going! Stay retro!

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Remembering TG&Y: The Store That Had It All

TG&Y Store Fronts

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, some of my best memories were from when my mom or dad would take my sister and me shopping. One of our favorite places was TG&Y, a beloved variety store. This "five and dime" was a staple in many communities across the United States, catering to people who weren't exactly well-off or just enjoyed an all-in-one shop. It predated the expansion of Wal-Mart and it's only rival at the time seemed to be K-Mart. I've heard it called Toys, Games & Yarn, Turtles, Girdles & Yo-Yos, and other variations because of its diverse departments.

TG&Y was founded in 1935 by Rawdon E. Tomlinson, Enoch L. “Les” Gosselin, and Raymond A. Young, whose initials formed the store’s name. The chain quickly grew, reaching its peak in the 1970s and 1980s with nearly 1,000 stores in 29 states. Known for its slogan, “Your best buy is at TG&Y,” the store aimed to provide a wide range of products at affordable prices. Walking into a TG&Y store was like stepping into a treasure trove of goods. The store was divided into several departments, each offering a unique shopping experience:

Toys: The toy section was a paradise for kids and for kids like me who weren't really taken to toy stores, it was THE toy store. From classic board games to the latest action figures (hello Masters of the Universe), TG&Y had it all. Popular items included yo-yos, dolls, and model kits. My sister spent hours in her preteen years gluing together and painting model cars with Testors glue and paint from TG&Y. Prices were incredibly reasonable, with many toys costing less than a dollar. Towards the end, I racked up on Masters of the Universe action figures because clearance prices were around a dollar.

Yarn and Crafts: For the crafty shopper like my mom, TG&Y’s yarn and crafts department was heaven. You could find a wide variety of yarns in different colors and textures, perfect for knitting and crocheting projects. A skein of yarn typically cost around 50 cents to a dollar. Unfortunately, my mom gravitated to budget-friendly acrylic yarns in orange, brown, mustard, white, and dusty rose that usually felt a little itchy. She enjoyed crocheting, and the prices were right for her, so that's what mattered.

Pets: TG&Y had a pet section where you could buy small pets like goldfish, hamsters, and parakeets. Pet supplies, including food and cages, were also available at budget-friendly prices. I always wanted a hamster, but my cousin Lynda put a nail in the coffin when it came to my mom deciding to get one for me after hers escaped several times. I honestly don't think my mom would have bought one anyway; she wasn't much of an animal person and was good at using other people's examples, no matter if the story happened or not.

Household Goods: From kitchenware to cleaning supplies, TG&Y offered a range of household items. You could find everything from pots and pans to brooms and mops, all at prices that wouldn’t break the bank. My mom's cleaning supply list was definitely fulfilled by TG&Y: Dutch Cleanser, 409, Lemon Joy, and Windex were her go-to products.

Clothing: The clothing department featured affordable fashion for the whole family. Whether you needed a new pair of jeans or a cozy sweater, TG&Y had you covered whether you wanted them or not. What you wore wasn't a big deal during elementary school unless it was dirty or stinky, and by the time I was in middle school, when kids began to worry about impressing others and not wanting to wear cheap clothes, TG&Y was already on the way out and not offering up-to-date clothing.

Hardware: They sold motor oil, tools, pesticides, bug killers, garden implements, and lawnmowers. My dad bought a riding lawnmower from TG&Y, and it worked for years.

Electronics & Records: The electronics section featured various brands and sizes of TVs, as well as different brands of stereos and record players. I don't remember if they carried high-end stuff, but I know they carried lower-priced brands like Soundesign, Emerson, and their own store-branded transistor radios. The record section covered top 40 pop, rock, country, soundtracks, and compilations. They carried records, tapes, and up until the early 80s, 8-tracks. TG&Y also carried 45 records but always seemed to be a week or two behind the new release selection at K-Mart, although they were a dime or so cheaper. I remember when my dad bought me Van Halen's Jump, my first "grown up" 45 at the TG&Y in Schillinger Road in Mobile, Alabama. I played it on my hand me down Emerson Disco 80 record player until the grooves were worn to the point where it sounded like it was being played on a radio station that wasn't quite getting full reception. I was so proud of it and I always looked forward to looking at the records in TG&Y. 

One of the most memorable aspects of TG&Y was its affordability. The store’s philosophy was to "have what people want at a price they can afford to pay," meaning shoppers could find great deals on a wide range of products. For example, a toy might cost 25 cents, a skein of yarn 50 cents, and a goldfish just a few dimes. This made TG&Y a popular destination for families looking to stretch their dollars.

Shopping at TG&Y was more than just a trip to the store; it was an experience. Entering TG&Y involved passing by a kid's merry-go-round and a car ride that took a quarter per ride, a few gumball and candy machines, and a couple of arcade games like Pac-Man and Galaga. The friendly staff, wide variety of products, and unbeatable prices created a welcoming atmosphere that kept customers coming back. Whether you were a child eagerly picking out a new toy or an adult stocking up on household essentials, TG&Y had something for everyone. Some stores had their own lunch counters. One in Mobile, Alabama, had one, and I obsessed over the fruit punch in the JetSpray Beverage Dispenser because something about it looked refreshing. Can't remember what the food was like, but I feel it might have been similar to the K-Mart restaurant or Woolworth lunch counter. The checkout experience was just like all the other stores at the time, with simple cash registers, credit card imprinters with slips, and flat paper bags that sounded super crinkly, which would get folded closed and the receipt stapled to by the cashier.

My last memory of an actual TG&Y, before McCrory's converted them to the short lived concepts of even cheaper dollar store concepts like Dollar Zone, was the Gulf Breeze, Florida location which always had pool and water floats fully inflated and stored just outside the front doors. I always wanted my parents to stop there to buy a float on the way to Pensacola Beach.

Though TG&Y stores have long since closed their doors, the memories of shopping there remain vivid for me. It was a place where my parents could find just about anything they needed while entertaining their kids, all at prices that made you smile. TG&Y may be gone, but its legacy as a beloved variety store lives on in the hearts of those who shopped there. For anyone looking for a similar shopping experience, minus the pets, records, lawnmowers, and crafting sections, the closest thing in modern times would be stores like Roses or perhaps a Walmart that hasn’t been converted to a Supercenter.

Remembering Record Stores

Remember the concept of record stores? It seems most people have forgotten what it's like to flip through vinyl records or stare at walls of cassette tapes and browsing the CD long boxes during the time they were placed near the registers due to their higher value. I love a good record shop...before digital downloads, FYE, amazon and B&N overthrew the market we had Record Bar, Turtles, Peaches, Coconuts and the Mecca...TOWER RECORDS. 

During my younger years, my sister and I were only exposed to the latest hits via WABB 97.5 or a vinyl 45 from TG&Y or K-Mart. Our full length albums were usually whatever was on clearance or those wonderful K-Tel collections jam packed with the shorter than edited radio versions. Once in a while, my mom would drive my sister and I to the mall but our mall visit came with strings attached...LIMITED TIME. My sister would cover the metal and rap (or what they called rap back in the 80s), pop/rock and new releases quicker than anyone I'd ever met. Even before she had an actual job, my sister also always managed to have a little cash to buy a tape. I went for the 12" singles and the M (for Madonna) section of pop/rock and hope my mom would buy something for me before she dragged us down to JC Penny's if we were at University Mall or Montgomery Wards if we were fortunate enough to be at Cordova Mall. Vinyl became obsolete toward the end of my elementary school years but I preferred snap crackle pop over the cheap tape decks and players we had eating or mangling my favorite tunes.

Record stores have definitely changed over the years for sure. There was a time went you walked in and the staff consisted of 5 highly knowledgeable sales people and 2 managers that were just as knowledgeable at any given time, now you are lucky to find 2 sales people anytime and most of the knowledge is of current top 40 or whatever they are performing on American Idol. I walked into FYE a few weeks ago and a generic rap track was blasting from the speakers, I asked the sales guy if they had "Love Never Dies" on CD and he asked "Who it by?" assuming it was just a song. When I worked in music stores I knew what all the new releases were several weeks before their release dates and would've known that it was not a group but a cast recording. Fortunately, there are a few old timers that know they have a corner in the market for vinyl freaks like me. Here in Atlanta, we have Fantasyland Records, the only store that I make sure I'm wearing comfortable shoes to shop. The selection rivals 4 record superstores in the space equal to a mall store. My days are Fantasyland are usually all day affairs. Breakfast at Einstein Brothers, flipping through vinyl, lunch at McDonalds, flipping through more vinyl...Then off to meet Terry and we're on our way home. There really is something special about the feel and sound of vinyl that totally rocks my world and no matter how many CDs I collect, I usually end up with the vinyl version spinning on my turntable if by any chance I can get my hands on it.