Reflections on Childhood: Goulash Pharmacy

[Kay Sera]

Goulash Pharmacy was an old school pharmacy, around which the world built up a bustling strip mall. Yes, it held all of the typical medications and knickknacks found at Walgreen's, but Goulash had a little diner in the back, complete with robin's egg blue counters and booths and vinyl stools to match, serving up pancakes, hash browns, burgers, grilled cheese, and the biggest shakes a girl could ever want.

My siblings and I sporadically received a pittance of allowance money; when we had collected the full two dollars and seventy-seven cents required, we carefully counted our pennies just to make sure, put on our bike helmets, and pedaled the mile and a half to Goulash to purchase those huge, delicious shakes that kept the diner in business. There was something so special about the counter, ordering all by myself, and eating that fantastic chocolate shake, first from the tall glass with the short, slender stem, then straight from the metal quart-sized cup.

But time kept moving forward, and soon a grocery store, Hallmark store, and a Walgreen's moved into the strip mall.

The shakes were no longer enough, and Goulash, along with its counter, closed.

[Kay Sera]

My response got too long, so it morphed into my next post. But I'm glad I could take you all back. That's the goal of this series.

[Teresa]

I hate chains.  I'm moving to a place that only has a few -- for now.  Great memory.  Well done.

[Andre DeCuir]

I remember places like this.  Took me back!

[Ron. Lavalette]

The booths were cool, but the stools provided the best show.  I remember. Thanks.

[Mike Handley]

Brings back some great memories for me, too. This is inspiring.

[Gita]

luscious memory. That metal quart container of milkshake always stayed really COLD, too.