“...Very few gas stations were open more than that during the week and nearly everything was closed on Sunday....”
Yes Sir...remember those times very well! As a little kid growing up in the mid-50’s, there was many a Saturday evening ride with my dad to the small local gas station to fill up the car and get the windshield washed before they closed, and usually a last-minute stop at the supermarket (which meant one of those big 5-cent candy bars or sometimes even an ice cream for me) to pick up a few items for the regular Sunday after church family dinner get-together. NOTHING was open on Sunday, except for maybe the hospital. Back then, it seemed like everyone, except maybe the transient hobos living down by the tracks, went to church too. Different, but innocent, times way back then compared to now.
Where I lived, there was a restaurant we went to frequently on Sunday after church. They served freshly carved prime rib roast beef and had a buffet Sunday dinner. My Dad loved that place! Ok, we all did!
The only things they had besides gas and oil at those gas stations were a coke vending machine and a peanut/candy bar/gum vending machine.
A bag of planters peanuts was a nickle.
BTW, air and water was free, and they pumped the gas for you. Checked your oil and water and washed your windows as well as looked at your tires.
29.9 a gallon for regular. I seen 13.9 when they had gas wars in Shawano WI.
After church on Sunday, we went to the local baseball game.
My brothers played on one what they called the “Town” team and played against the neighboring community teams.
I played the last game on that town team..abt 1969-70.
Had a retired major league ump who called the game. He was the main attraction.