Headed out shortly after that. Called Uber to take me to Merchantville, then rushed down the block to drop two books I didn't want in the kiosk. Came back just as the car arrived. There was no traffic in Collingswood or Pennsauken. We arrived on Park Avenue in Merchantville within 20 minutes.
Merchantville is a small town not ten minutes from Cherry Hill. Like Haddon Heights, it has many beautiful historic buildings and several antique shops. I was in and out of their thrift shops for about a half-hour. One on Park and two on Center Street had nothing but clothes (and a few books at one), and Irrina's Closet is still expensive. Peeked at the toys and collectibles store, but once again, their shelves and shelves of action figures and Funko Pops didn't interest me.
Had lunch at Omega's Restaurant, a very 60's modern spot that seemed incongruous surrounded by buildings that were mainly from the early 1900's. I came in around 2, and they were dead quiet. The only people to be seen in the huge, dark dining room were the bartender and staff. That may be why the waitress and matre'd were more than happy to bring me a soft but nicely-seasoned crab cake sandwich, thick steak fries, and a steaming hot potato roll with butter. They were expensive, but very tasty.
Strolling back down Park revealed another thrift shop. Queen Esther's Old and New Thrift Shop had more than just clothes, including a ton of toys and books. Ironically, all I ended up with was a long-sleeved sage green henley. The gentleman and his mother who owned the store were very sweet and quite religious, handing me a "credit card" with a Bible quote on it.
Stopped at PNC a block down Park to get money, then went around the corner to Maple. Aunt Charlotte's Candies was housed in an older building that, according to a plaque outside, had once been a feed store. Their colorful wares now were certainly not chicken feed! I'd never seen such a huge candy store, not even in Cape May. Wooden shelves and metal racks were lined with stuffed animals and candy of every description, from chocolate truffles to candy cigarettes to wooden fruit baskets filled with jewel-like hard candy. It was so hard to make a decision! I finally went with a home-made dark chocolate almond bar for right away and a bag of coconut macaroons for later.
Returned to Park and kept strolling, hoping to find a convenience store or a WaWa where I could get a drink. Ended up going down West Chestnut, then turned onto Cove. A small shopping center housed a Mexican restaurant and a small convenience store. They didn't have much there besides lottery tickets, but I did find a lemon Perrier.
Called Uber to pick me up here. While it was cool, barely in the 80's, it was also slightly humid and very cloudy. Not to mention, I didn't feel like taking two buses home (even if the first one was only 10 minutes). The driver arrived in 5 minutes, not bad for the start of rush hour, and got me home in 20 even with the usual traffic on Cuthbert Road.
Went straight into writing when I got in. Joyce is delighted by the shoes. Good Witch Patti says they have magic powers and will protect her from the Warlock of the West. He's even worse and more powerful than his former boss, she tells her.
Broke for dinner at 7 PM. Watched Match Game '79 as I ate. The CBS series finale actually wound up being one of Bill Daily's best showings. Gene even gives him his pin-striped navy coat for his wedding. (And Bill must have really liked it. He's seen wearing it throughout the syndicated series.) Gary Burghoff did even better with "__ and Hot" in the Head-to-Head.
Finished the night with It's a Bikini World at YouTube. I go further into this unique take on Beach Party movies at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.
Oh, and 1978 is now the second complete year of Match Game available along with 1975. GSN showed the two remaining lost episodes today. Everyone teases Brett about her strange curly wig in the first episode. Greg Morris sports goofy giant neon green sunglasses in the opening of the second episode, and Gene comes in for ribbing about his suit pants that don't match his jacket.
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