The display shelves looked like they’d been beaten with chains—and so did the mannequins. One fellow with waves of yellow plaster hair had a chipped nose. Gray trails were worn into the navy carpet. Two dusty holiday wreaths did nothing to spread Christmas cheer. “It’s sad to see the Vandeventer stores in this shape,” Alyce said. “They used to be so elegant,” Josie said. “When I was a kid, my mom took me downtown every Christmas to see the Vandeventer display windows. No wonder this chain is in trouble. The merchandise is tossed on the tables like a rummage sale.” Three clerks leaned against a wall, laughing and talking. A fourth shouted into a cell phone, “I’m not coming to Christmas dinner at Aunt Karen’s. She’s a hundred years old.” “My questionnaire asks if I was greeted by the sales staff when I entered the department,” Josie said, “and if I was shown the item I wanted. It wants to know if the department is neat and clean and the items properly presented.
What do You think about Murder With All The Trimmings?
