Spent some time in my mother's home place, rural Minnesota. The expedition was rife with emotional touchstones, as I visited often as a child and a few times as my children grew.
Motoring up the home stretch, a state highway leading to whichever relative's home we would stay in for our visit, my sister and I would watch for Barbasol–style signage by the side of the road announcing our approach to a roadside attraction/souvenir shop, Treasure City.
Spent some time in my mother's home place, rural Minnesota. The expedition was rife with emotional touchstones, as I visited often as a child and a few times as my children grew.
Motoring up the home stretch, a state highway leading to whichever relative's home we would stay in for our visit, my sister and I would watch for Barbasol–style signage by the side of the road announcing our approach to a roadside attraction/souvenir shop, Treasure City.
Happily, this outpost of willingly suspended disbelief was still there on my latest trip. It remains a slice of a more innocent yesterday. Likely there are few places left that lure you with the promise of free ice water and free coffee while daring you to gaze upon the “200-pound man eating clam.”
As in the past, there are separate “treasure chests” for men and women, each piled high with crisply wrapped “surprise gifts,” ranging in price from $5 to $20. Plastic flamingos are still available for $12.99 a pair.
Other front lawn decorations demand a decision: do you need a regular or deluxe wishing well, or would you prefer your windmill in small, medium, or large?
Most of the shop is packed to the gills with curios and knickknacks. What home or office is not made more cheery by an animal figurine? Take your pick; you may choose from teddy bears, dogs, kittens, monkeys, moose, eagles, dear, wolves, grizzly bears, loons, and more, many depicted as motorcycle-riding creatures.
And is there a conversation piece more striking than the tabletop Holstein cow, the size of a full-grown cat?
Oddly, this landlocked merchant embraces a pirate theme. I am sure you would have to travel far to find a better shoulder-of-the-road selection of seashells and dried starfish. Then again, they remain true to the area’s farming roots. Witness the corralled parking lot petting zoo of plastic animals, where the rules are prominently posted — don't feed the animals, pet but do not ride, keep the gate closed, and watch where you step.
As expected, you may also commemorate your stop at this nostalgic retailer by purchasing dream catchers, wind chimes, sunglasses, T-shirts, and ball caps, every one blazoned with the Treasure City name.
And before you take your leave, you must take advantage of a photo opportunity with the 10,000 Lakes State’s icon, Paul Bunyan, and his entire family. By sticking your faces through the colorful cutout, you and your loved ones can assume the identities of Paul, his wife Lucette, son Paul Jr., and daughter Paulette.
Buying a couple of postcards, I was transported back in time listening to children and parents negotiate the purchase of items sure to barely last the journey back home. How often did my sister and I gleefully show our aunts, uncles, and cousins the ridiculous trinkets acquired in route to our visit?
Our more sophisticated world beckons with near-identical merchandise from slick, cookie-cutter malls in thousands of communities nationwide. But if you stumble upon some comparatively artless retailer off the beaten path, you may enjoy a peek into a simpler sales era. For me,this lovely look back was a fine value.
Pat Grimes, a former South Bay resident, writes from Ypsilanti, Mich. He can be reached at pgwriter@inbox.com
