End of an Era- The Closing of K's

I just found out that K’s Merchandise is going out of business. Though it wasn’t my “first job” (who could forget Chuck E Cheese and Ryan’s Steakhouse?), working at K’s was the most fun and meaningful experience of my teenage years. I started out the beginning of my senior year in 1990 as a housewares sales associate (#120) and I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I was hired. Instead of working food service which is the most common teenage career path, I had gotten a coveted sales position at the premiere retail establishment around! Here's a picture of me right around the time I was hired, there was definitely an 80s influence in that hairstyle and makeup!!

K’s was a regional company with stores around central Illinois that sold jewelry, housewares, electronics and sporting goods. It was one of those old fashioned places where sales associates actually helped you, retrieved your item from the warehouse and took it to the cash register for you. Back before Best Buy, Circuit City and the internet took over retail, people preferred coming to K’s for the service and the knowledge of the associates. I quickly became the “expert” on electric shavers and vaccums (we all need our niche) and after the Christmas season, I was kept on when a quarter of the sales force were laid off.

The best part of K’s was that it was a melting pot of young adults from all over the Springfield area. I quickly made friends from all of the public high schools (I went to one of those snooty Catholic schools) as well as from the rural areas and the local community college. Pretty soon I had my school friends, and my “K’s” gang. The K’s gang luckily included a few older folks who were able to procure alcohol (always a bonus when you’re underage) and willing to have parties at their house. My first serious boyfriend was from K’s (an electronics associate), several people I stayed friends with through college were fellow associates, and two became sorority sisters and one is still a best friend all these years later. We had a great time at work and there was always a lot of joking, hiding out in the warehouse, and just general goofiness when the managers weren’t watching. We did have to work hard, our sales were tracked even though we weren’t on commission, but we managed to make it fun.

In my almost three years at K’s, I spent time selling housewares and jewelry, and eventually ended up in customer service which was kindof a step above the sales folks – at least in our opinion. I learned valuable career skills and lots of mechanisms for coping with difficult people. For example, three words – After Christmas Returns.
Even better?? Returns Without Receipt. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve faced situations in my professional work in government and healthcare where I’ve drawn upon lessons learned in that customer service booth at K’s. Not only did I make great friends and have a great time, but I really learned skills that would serve me well in life.

It makes me sad to see the end of another hometown retail establishment but these days I’m sure it’s all about the lowest price as opposed to the best service. I’ll always have wonderful memories of my time at K’s and be glad that I had the opportunity to work there!