I was fortunate to grow up in Scranton, PA. About 1960, at Christmas there were big layouts in Penn Furniture, The Globe Store, and The Scranton Dry Goods. A couple of blocks away was the original Scranton Hobby Center in the 300 block of Adams Avenue with a smaller layout. Across the street American Auto had a large train department. Kresge, Woolworth's and Sears also had trains. I had to get my dad to take me since there were too many train stops for my mom.
Near my parents house in Green Ridge was Avery Hardware that had trains. A litter further away was Bill's Sporting Goods- Further "Up the Line" (meaning the D&H Mainline) was Eynon Drug, a forerunner of the Big Box stores with a big train department.
I never realized how lucky I was!
Lad Nagurney
