Jones Law of the Day
Put responsibility on the other person. -- Bill Jones (Fatty)
Employees
Olympia Christmas
I lived in Olympia and came down to Toledo to Thaw out my mothers water pipes which had froze.
On the way back home I stopped at Yard Birds to do some Christmas shopping. I have 6 brothers and sisters and Yard Birds had boxes of chocolates on sale so I loaded up my cart.
As I was checking out I was talking to the cashier and she made a comment about all the chocolates. The cashier on the other side said " oh is he good looking singel and does he have a box of chocolates for me" I said I might.
Well my big sister was a cashier at the store at that time so I had a box of chocolates wrapped had them put a tag on it read from Good looking single and loaded with chocolates. I gave it to my sister to give to that cashier who is now my wife and has been for 30 years.
I went to work at Yard Birs that April and worked there till they closed.
Dwayne M.
Childhood Memories
Thank you so much for this website! I grew up literally at Yard Birds - my father, Jack Williams, started at the original store known as Sun Birds, then moved to the big store where he was the shoe store manager. I was born in 1965, so I spent my childhood all the time there, from getting all my mary jane shoes fitted by my father, running through the toy department, eating 8 cent donuts or free popcorn with my yard bird tokens. I took dance lessons upstairs. I even was there the day the big bird outside burned down - broke this little girl's heart!
How I miss those parking lot sales, playing with the free puppies, talking to the mynia bird, buying my girl scout outfits - oh the myriad of memories! I truly look forward to seeing the documentary and I plan on taking my dad with me.
Thanks again!
Regan S.
Yowza
When we went to the employee reuinon, Paul Downing the talented graphic artist and sign painter from Yard Birds, introduced us to his son Bill Downing. Bill, a former employee also, was there playing music with his band Yowza. His bandmate Eric Alton was a local resident also and had a lot of knowledge and memories about the old stores. It was clear to us that they were a big part of the Yard Birds family.
Skinny and Fatty: the story of Yard Birds is availabel on DVD. $14.99 + $3 shipping.
