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    AC Benus
  • AC Benus
  • Author
  • 11/02/2016
  • 431 Words
  • 2,394 Views
  • 10 Comments
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

A Better Place - Prologue. Series Prologue

.

Christmas

at Famous-Barr

 

~~~~~

A Collection of

Eight Holiday Novellas

~~~~~~~

 

med_gallery_18130_1560_321711.jpg

 

~~~~

 

 

By

AC Benus

 

 

 

 

 

for

PHRANX

and our mutual love of

department stores

and marmalade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

I. A Better Place

Christmas at Famous-Barr 2005

 

II. Famous Bear and the Ivory Tower of Commerce

Christmas at Famous-Barr 1988

 

III. Katie's Sketchbook

Christmas at Famous-Barr 1976

 

IV. Practically Perfect

Christmas at Famous-Barr 1964

 

V. Right Where We Live

Christmas at Famous-Barr 1945

 

VI. It Had to be Good!

Christmas at Famous-Barr 1929

 

VII. Wini and the King of Someplace

Christmas at Famous-Barr 1913

 

VIII. Of Prophets, Saints and Sinners

Christmas at Famous-Barr 1880

 

 

Cover art: Famous-Barr's toy and holiday decorations catalog, 1924

 

 

The Series Disclaimer:

 

The following collection of eight novellas best falls under the heading of fan fiction. I claim no rights over certain brand names, characters, or other material I do not own. This story may contain fictionalized accounts involving actual persons, but no intent exists to claim they proceeded as shown here. The following are works of fiction.

 

The Series Fun Stuff:

 

The following are works of fiction, but ones based on fact. My primary source of information comes from Famous-Barr generated material, mainly employee newsletters, which often contain holiday photos of the stores along with written descriptions of the themes and visitors. Other first-hand information comes from newspaper articles, store ads, store guides, menus, theater programs, promotional material, television shows, etc. Photographic resources have come from two primary sources: The Missouri Historical Society – one of the oldest in the Nation – and The University of Missouri at Saint Louis. Both organizations have an ever-expanding online database of historic photos, and periodic links to these are provided in the story.

I intend to provide some 'extras' in the form of appendices. Mainly end-of-story historical summaries of a 'who, what, when, and where' listing of facts, they also will contain a recipe section for the holiday food mentioned in each story. This food too will be as historically accurate as possible, much of it involving local traditions.

 

The Series Wish:

 

I hope you enjoy Christmas at Famous-Barr, and I hope you encounter some of that elusive holiday magic along the way.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------

 

By the way, the wiki page for the store is in desperate need of improving. Please see my historical sketch here for more and better information.

Copyright © 2017 AC Benus; All Rights Reserved.
  • Like 8
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Recommended Comments

Chapter Comments

Mikiesboy

When we first met, you asked me if I had any interest in department stores. I'd never really considered them as anything more than stores. But you've shown not only me, but anyone who reads this series that sometimes they are much much more. I've enjoyed each and every one of these stories to date, and I look forward to the rest. They will become part of our Christmases from now on.
Thanks AC, I know this was a labour of love and it certainly shows.

 

tim

  • Love 1
AC Benus
On 11/03/2016 05:05 AM, Mikiesboy said:

When we first met, you asked me if I had any interest in department stores. I'd never really considered them as anything more than stores. But you've shown not only me, but anyone who reads this series that sometimes they are much much more. I've enjoyed each and every one of these stories to date, and I look forward to the rest. They will become part of our Christmases from now on.

Thanks AC, I know this was a labour of love and it certainly shows.

 

tim

lol, and you still talked to me anyway…? Hehe, I guess I do occasionally ask people about their memories of such places.

 

Anyway, I've learned a lot during this adventure, and many of the facts reinforce how special a presence this company was in the community. Charity starts at home, as they say, and decade after decade of the store's 'give-backs' attest to the heart of the place.

 

Personal experience and a love of history made me start this, and let's face it, a love of Famous-Barr too.

 

Thanks, Tim. You're a great supporter.

J.HunterDunn

I'm very envious of your passion for Famous-Barr and admire the thoroughness of your research, which is evident in every story you published already. Your joy in the subject and the way you are able to wrap it in these very enjoyable stories have accomplished that your readers can share in the wonder and become fans by proxy.

 

In my part of the world we changed already to winter-time last weekend, which means starting the day in the dark and coming home from work in the dark as well. A perfect setting for reading more Christmas at Famous-Barr.

  • Love 1
AC Benus
On 11/03/2016 09:07 AM, J.HunterDunn said:

I'm very envious of your passion for Famous-Barr and admire the thoroughness of your research, which is evident in every story you published already. Your joy in the subject and the way you are able to wrap it in these very enjoyable stories have accomplished that your readers can share in the wonder and become fans by proxy.

 

In my part of the world we changed already to winter-time last weekend, which means starting the day in the dark and coming home from work in the dark as well. A perfect setting for reading more Christmas at Famous-Barr.

Believe it or not, I woke up this morning thinking it was very dark – not even a hint of sun, even though it was nearly 7am. At least we'll have soon have the dubious Daylight Pretend Time over for the year. I personally hate it, if you could not tell ;)

 

Thank you for your kind praise. I suppose engaging with a place I know and love via proxy is what writers should strive to do. This is a great review, Peter. I appreciate your comments and wonderful support.

AC Benus
On 11/04/2016 11:58 AM, Defiance19 said:

This series is one of my favorite things. The cast of characters play close second to Famous Barr and it's history. A history that you allow them to tell in a narrative so compelling and descriptive, as a reader I am transported there.

This is where I fully agree with Peter in saying that it's due to your joy and passion of the subject..

Thanks AC...

Awww, Def – "one of my favorite things" – that's so sweet. And I know you mean it, so it's touching as well.

 

Thank you for all of your support. I hope you enjoy the postings, because there will be A LOT of them twix now and Christmas ;)

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