Sapg's was a big part of my life growing up in Worcester as a kid and young adult. When I was little every Friday night my Mother and my Dad's sister, my Aunt Anne, would drag me and my brothers and cousins to Spags after food shopping and (really way back when) a trip to White City Amusement Park.
We always came away with something, toys or models. Then when it came time and I turned 16, Spags hired me for my first real job. I worked there for three winters and one summer, starting in the toy department at Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. Oh boy that was an experience.
To get hired you had to go to the office which at the time was attached to Spag's house. You would wait your turn and be lead into a door and poof you were in Spag's living room. He would sit you down in a recliner next to his while the TV played and offer you a coke or a snack, ask how you were doing in school and then think a minute and tell you when and who to report to.
I still have my Spag's badge and apron.
The other thing was that Spag had an awesome fishing Department. Custom rods by Charlie Murat (the only other palce you could by one except for Murat's in N. Smithfield RI.) and plugs etc by Gibbs, Atom in boxes. Frank Woolner was in there all the time and being a Shrewsbury resident he was enlisted by Spag as a consultant on what to carry.
Great memories there. Too bad because when Spag was alive and involved, no matter how querky, he made it work and many central MA. families could not have gotten along without his prices and selections.
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