*Note, this piece was written in 2017, shortly after finding out that Benny’s would be closing.
A few weeks ago, I was shocked to find out that you, old friend, were not doing well. That you were not going to make it to see the new year. I was heartbroken by this since you had been there for me my whole life and I felt as if I had grown up alongside you. Wherever I was in my life’s progression, I was comforted by the knowledge that you remained just as you ever were. I’ve changed, but you stayed constant, consistent. Like a true pal, someone I could rely on, you never wavered. I knew there would be a tire sale, a bike sale, a toy sale, and even though I wasn’t needing to purchase any of those items, it was a comfort to see the familiar signs in the street-facing windows reminding me I was home.
It did not matter if it was a matchbox car, a baseball bat, or a bag of mulch, through my ever-changing existence, Benny’s, New England’s quintessential home and automotive store, supplied me with what I needed. As a child, Benny’s was my store of choice, encouraging my parents or grandmothers to take me there for a treat. When I was home from college, a trip to Benny’s served as a stopping off point before a car ride to purchase three for $1 candy bars or a bag of chips. Later, on winter evenings visiting home from various apartments in the Boston area, I would purchase a starter log for the fireplace. The Norwichtown, Connecticut Benny’s was my home store. A trip to Norwich was not complete without at least one visit. Years later, when I set out to buy my own home, Benny’s was there for me too, just down the street from my new house in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Taking that step towards home ownership, Benny’s not only helped practically speaking with items needed for the house, but also as a figurative security blanket, somehow calming my fears over this giant step in adulthood.
Benny’s, you didn’t only shape my life, but my parents, at nearly 70 years old, never knew a time without you. Danielson, Connecticut’s Benny’s served my father and the Norwich Benny’s my mother. I was looking forward to passing the Benny’s baton to my son. The thought of him running through your aisles, excited to choose a toy, made me smile, but such is life and alas he will not have the same opportunity. Now that you’re leaving us, if I live by the mantra of my late grandmother, Irene Lamothe, I will be free from any needs or desires since her motto was “If Benny’s doesn’t carry it, you don’t need it.”
You’ve lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War and even more, survived the proliferation of box stores in the southern New England region. When the likes of Bradlees, Caldor, and Ames closed due to the supersized entities of Wal-Mart and Target encroaching on their demographic, Benny’s, you stood unfazed. How stunned was I to hear then in 2017 that you were closing! This was only three years after your 90th birthday, an event so celebrated through your merchandise with T shirts, hats, mugs.
Benny’s, please heed the words of Dylan Thomas and “Do not go gentle into the good night.” Keep your automated doors jammed open until management has to manually force them closed. I will wear my Benny’s T shirt and don my Benny’s cap with pride, pride like one would have for a sports team or a political candidate, for you, Benny’s, were that for me. The little chain store that could. But where, where will I buy my birdseed or purchase a bike for my son? Benny’s is my Americana, my slice of apple pie.
Although difficult, I will try not to look back to all of those tire rotations that could have been or the fishing poles I could have purchased, but instead will recall fondly the utmost customer service, the distinct Benny’s scent, and actual joy the store brought to my life.
On that dreaded moment in September when I found out that Benny’s was shuttering its 31 collective doors by December 31st, it was a cheerless day for southern New England: Cranston, Warwick, Dennis, Middleborough, North Attleboro, Plymouth, Norwich, Wareham, Groton, the list goes on. We’ve lost a 93-year-old institution. Even worse, when we are suffering through a long line at an impersonal box store, our minds will drift back to the familiar faces, professionalism, and dedication that were always witnessed at Benny’s.
Let me tip my Benny’s cap to you and pour a root beer to toast your 93 years. Your slogan was “your favorite store,” but it was more than that; it was also my favorite store, our favorite store, southern New England’s favorite store.
You will be missed.
Silver lining! Check out the Vintage Benny’s store for all your Benny’s apparel, aprons and pillows- for everyone on your Christmas list!
For more Backyard Road Trips, click here.
My wife and I lived in Westerly between 2016 and this January and we LOVED Bennys. Occasionally we visited with some specific need in mind, but often we just went to mooch along the aisles and find all kinds of things we didn’t know we wanted until we saw them. The staff were fabulous too, and I felt for them when they announced they were closing for good. One of my last purchases was a Bennys t-shirt, and even a couple of years after the closure, strangers seeing it on me would come over and tell me how much they loved the stores. Thanks for this trip down memory lane.
You’re very welcome and thanks for sharing your story! I remember stopping at the Westerly store en route to Misquamicut for all the essentials- snacks and beach toys.
Hello! I loved my Groton, CT Benny’s!!
Quick story: about 15 yrs ago, I went back home, to Groton, currently living in TX now.
I visited Benny’s in the middle of summer and asked the associate a very crazy question, do you happen to have any saucers that you could reach to sell me from the back?
Manager says let me see what I can do give me five minutes, then says to me why don’t you come with me we can look together. Sure enough, using a forklift on the second story the manager pulls down a box full of saucers. I bought four!! You could always find anything at Benny’s anytime of the year!! Story continues with me flying back to Texas with saucers….. Man did I get laughs, chuckles and comments made but I didn’t care! It doesn’t snow much where we live however my kids were hot stuff when it did snow, they had the best experience in those saucers sliding down hills in Texas! I also bought old timey candy and gum! Loved your sharing of Benny’s!!
Dawn
What a great story! Thanks for sharing, Dawn. I remember I once wanted to buy a net not in season and they too went to the back and after a bit, there was my net. Talk about customer service!
My beloved grandfather bought me my very first bicycle at the Benny’s in Willimantic when I turned 9 years old long, long ago. I loved that bike almost as much as I loved my grandfather (which was more than I could say) and it was my faithful companion for many years. All these years later I can still recall the excitement of going to Benny’s and being told to “pick out whichever bike you’d like” and then having to make a choice from the array of wonderful choices. Even though I’d been to many Benny’s many times after that – particularly the Norwichtown and Danielson locations – that memory will always remain my favorite. It was a great store and I was sorry to see them close. Thanks for the tribute to what was a terrific store!
Thanks for sharing the heartfelt story!
I always loved that store. I may not have gone in there as often as I should have, or others did. But, just the thought of knowing it was there. It always felt right. Now to see it, with another business in it. Awkward, heartbreaking, it will never be the same. BENNY’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed! At least it wasn’t torn down
I MISS BENNYS.
love your story …well written and brought a tear to my eye.
Thanks, Bill!
Raynham Benny’s was my store even after we left the Taunton area and they opened one for a little while in Mansfield but the Raynham store will have a special meaning to me! My parents and I moved to the US in 86 and it was Bennys that helped us get settled! Lou was the manager Mike did all the tire work on all my parents cars I bought my first Two bikes there! Anytime we needed a battery change in our watch, jewelry stores were to expensive Lou took care of us just pay for the battery!
It may have been an institution and may have been a chain but the personal connections and the small store feel that you don’t get at the big red and blue stores today or sitting in front of your smart phone knowing it will get to your house in 2 days!
RIP Benny’s will Ms you ol friend.
Thank you for sharing! It’s amazing that so many people have such connections to Benny’s.