A Retail Legend

Evening was starting to fall in the small village of Jones and two hearts who were in love and experiencing the genesis point to the entrepreneurial lifestyle, when a youthful boy knocked on their cottage door.

“I will get it,” Anita Gordon shouted before turning the golden ring knob revealing a youthful looking professional.

“Hi,” he said, “my name is Niemann, and this is my friend Marcus.”

“Hello, Nieman, hello Marcus,” she greeted the pair appraising potential value.

“We have an allowance and an option to do some claiming,” Marcus mentioned.

“You both have an allowance and an option to do some claiming?” Anita showed surprising interest.

“Well, I am trying to distance myself from being young,” Niemann stated acting mature.

“And what do you two want to claim with your allowance?” Anita continued to guard the entrance.

“Crystal,” Marcus replied, “we want to start claiming crystals.”

Starting to smile Anita invited them in for some dinner, “Cal can you get the bread? We have guests tonight.”

“Wait a second,” Cal talked into a phone receiver, “I know this is big Clare, but I need to get back to you later tonight.”

Hanging up and turning full attention to his partner Cal waltzed into the kitchen giving Anita a quick hug, “so who are these two gentlemen?”

“They have an allowance and an option to do some claiming,” Anita responded.

“And what do they want to claim?”

“Crystal honey,” Anita reported, “so I want to show them my Aunt Rose’s crystal. Can you get it and of course the bread.”

“Are you winners feeling grazeful tonight?” Cal inquired making his c sound like a z.

“Yes,” Niemann perked up, “we are very hungry.”

“Good,” Anita grinned.

Later after all the dishes were put away the four were admiring Aunt Rose’s Crystal in the living room, “such a find,” Niemann noted, “yes, it is beautiful,” Marcus commented concentrating on the attic relic. Suddenly, a ding-donging sound could be heard, and Anita ran to welcome another visitor, “Oh, Arthur Spooner, thank you for taking a second and stopping by our place.”

“No problem,” Arthur offered a hand to shake, “I hear you have winners who want to make a big splash in the window dressing world.”

“Yes, they have an allowance, Arthur and an option to claim.”

“Wonderful,” Arthur stepped down into the business social engagement, “what do they want to claim?”

“Crystal,” the boy’s said in unison.

“And we were just showing them Aunt Rose’s Crystal,”

“Yes, Anita I remember what the maidens were claiming when your Aunt Rose took it off the lonely ladies' hands,” Arthur put on his glasses, “yes, they called it Romeo’s Glory when they showed it to her.”

“It never did have a show price,” Cal interjected.

“That is right there was no show price,” Arthur remembered.

“She always said it teased her,” Anita folded her arms wondering what was behind the lure.

“Well, chaps I think this is a good claim.” Arthur positively announced stamping the opportunity with blue-ribbon approval.

Years later while walking through an indoor mall Anita and Cal saw an elite shopping experience with two names shining in lights, “Niemann Marcus.” “Look at that,” Anita grabbed Cal’s arm, “they made it big.”

“Can I help you?” A sales lady wearing the name Fontana interrupted.

“Yes, Fontana, do you have any Crystal?” Anita had to ask.

“Of course, as the Niemann Marcus legend states Romeo’s Glory crystal owned once by a local woman here in town named Rose built this enterprise.”

“Yes, such an inspiring story,” Anita felt like a Saint knowing she had something to do with the department store’s success.