I just returned from a luncheon lecture and book signing at Imperial Plaza, and boy was it an awesome crowd! They sold out all 200 seats, which was completely overwhelming and flattering. Anyhow, I was seated at a lunch table with a gentleman named Vann Allen who worked as the Maintenance Supervisor at Thalhimers’ Westmoreland store. He told the most colorful story, which I absolutely must share…
While working in the maintenance department one day, Mr. Allen received a phone call from one of the store managers.
“A woman in the beauty salon is in hysterics,” said the manager.
Mr. Allen replied, “well, what do you want me to do about it?”
“Could you go to the salon and see if you can help?”
“Sure,” he said, and off he went to the beauty salon. There he found a young woman, surrounded by her girlfriends, crying hysterically. It was her wedding day, and she and her bridal party were at the salon to have their hair done. The city was doing construction work outside and the water main had been cut off, leaving Thalhimers with a lack of water.
“I just can’t do their hair if I can’t wash it first,” the beautician explained to Mr. Allen. “And we don’t have any water. What can you do about it?”
Mr. Allen smiled, recalling his surprise at her question. “What can I do about it?” he thought to himself. “Nothing!” Then, he had an idea. He pushed a flatbed dolly around from one department to the next, collecting the five gallon water jugs from all of the water coolers. When he returned to the salon, he stood behind the sink and poured a water jug over the head of the bride and each of her bridesmaids so the beautician could shampoo and rinse their hair. The ladies left happy, and presumably had beautiful hair at the wedding.
How’s that for 1) customer service, 2) creativity, and 3) a great story?! Thanks, Mr. Allen.
Finding Thalhimers 
Too funny!
That was the way all of us who worked there were. We pulled together to make sure the customer was happy when they left the store. I went to work for the family in 1971 and worked there for 13 years, and we did feel that we were part of the Thalhimer family because that is the way we were treated. I loved working there and call on some of the training I received from them even today. The customer was always right, and we were appreciated for the job we did.
Carolyn Clements
Midlothian, Va.
Wow! I stumbled upon the Facebook page and just had to visit this blog. My Mom worked as a seamstress at the Westmoreland store for a couple of decades. In fact she retired from there. It was an integral part of our lives. It was where we got our clothes and birthday presents. I even went to Sunday school with Harry. I can’t wait to read the book on my Kindle.