The Blue-Plate Special or Ordering at Woolworth's Lunch Counter

The lunch counter at F.W. Woolworth’s was always busy and every seat was filled.  According to my friend Karen Plunkett-Powell’s book Remembering Woolworth’s, it was a company built on selling everything for nickels and dimes.  Did you know they had their own china pattern?

Woolworth’s has moved into the realm of iconic American history.  Much of its memorabilia has been lost.  I picked these dishes up and discovered they were made for F. W. Woolworth.  They must have been made before Woolworth moved into the realm of iconic American history, because they are both dishwasher and microwave safe.  They only had two.

Blue has never been my favorite color, but I gravitate to it in dishes.  We had blue china when I was young.  At first I thought the pattern was Blue Willow.  Every time I see a blue pattern on a white plate I think it’s Blue Willow, although I hope one day to find Ming Tree.

I don’t know if they ever served food on these plates at Woolworth’s.  From what I can remember, since I never ate at the counter, the stacks of cups and plates along the back wall were institutional white and thick like ironstone.

The non-matching cup is from another collection, but it seemed to work here.  I love cups with cops since when I'm writing anything hot will usually become tepid before I finish drinking it.  The covers are as good as a ceramic thermos.

I also tried a new way to fold the napkin.  It was virtually painless, but napkin folding interest me.  They give the table both character and definition, setting the stage so guest immediately understand the purpose of the table and the meal.

Blue was never my favorite color, but when it comes to dishes, I seem to gravitate toward that calming color.  Meals should be enjoyed, savored and eaten in leisurely environment over which you can decompress, tell stories and enjoy the company of others.  We tend to run faster than trains these days, each of us busy and needing to get to the next job, class, event, or whatever calls our attention.

I added the salt and pepper shakers because they have blue and pink hearts on them and sit on a blue heart.

Finally to round out the table, I added the small portrait of a French cafe.  While it's not Woolworth's, it can act as a conversation piece or just be a pleasing scene to look at while you eat.  And the French are famous for their food and for taking time to thoroughly enjoy it.

All we need now is the food and today's blue-place special from the Woolworth menu is the Delux Ham Sandwich for a whopping $.40.  Couple that with a $.10 King-siz Coca-Cola and you have a complete meal.

Eat hearty.