🛒 Flour, China, and Alarm Clocks: W.B. Hastings’ Saturday Specials
In the early 1900s, Norwood’s commercial heartbeat pulsed through its downtown storefronts — and few were as lively as W.B. Hastings, a general store known for its eclectic inventory and eye-catching Saturday specials. From pantry staples to decorative imports, Hastings offered a weekly mix of necessity and novelty that drew crowds and shaped local shopping habits.
🧺 A Store for Every Need
Located near the Norwood Depot, W.B. Hastings catered to a broad clientele: homemakers, tradesmen, and curious passersby. Its Saturday specials were advertised in the Norwood Advertiser, often featuring:
- 25 lb sack of flour for $0.65
- Imported china teacups at 10¢ each
- Wind-up alarm clocks from China — $1.25 apiece
These items reflected both domestic practicality and aspirational flair. Flour was a staple, china added elegance to the table, and alarm clocks symbolized modern punctuality in an increasingly industrialized town.
🕰️ The Allure of Imported Goods
By 1901, Norwood residents were embracing global goods. Hastings stocked Chinese-made alarm clocks, often mechanical and ornately designed, alongside European china and American-made dry goods. These imports added sophistication to everyday life and hinted at the town’s growing cosmopolitan tastes.
Shoppers could browse shelves of enamelware, kerosene lamps, and novelty clocks — all while picking up flour, molasses, and soap.
🧾 Saturday as Shopping Ritual
Saturday specials weren’t just about discounts — they were about rhythm. With mills closed and families free, Saturdays became communal shopping days. Hastings capitalized on this, rotating deals weekly and creating urgency with phrases like:
“While supplies last — Saturday only!”
The store’s windows were dressed with signs and displays, often featuring the week’s best bargains. Children admired the clocks; mothers inspected the china; fathers compared flour prices.
🧭 Legacy and Local Memory
Though W.B. Hastings eventually closed, its spirit lives on in Norwood’s retail memory. The blend of utility and charm, of flour and fine china, reflects a town that valued both thrift and taste.