White-Vann Co.

1946

1947

1957

1962

1962

1963

Renae Evans

circa 1977

1987

Old Zenith

Bill Vann's memories

From my earliest days of recognition, there was an old Zenith Radio under one of the Men’s Suit Racks at WVC.  Old Zenith was functional and a regular feature on Saturdays for listening to AU football games during FB season, but it also got a lot of use during baseball season for entertainment, listening to Yankees BB games.  As you may know, Daddy was a serous BB fan and before George Steinbrenner took over Yankees ownership, he listened regularly to Yankees games, especially on Saturday, but also at home.  I never knew why he was such a huge Yankees fan; however, he didn’t like Steinbrenner and along the way when the Braves moved to Atlanta, he converted and totally lost interest in the Yankees - but, as I recall, this did not occur until the early/mid-80s. 

When I left home in ’66 to go to college, Old Zenith was still a favorite entertainment on Saturdays at WVC anytime FB and BB were played.  As an aside, I never recall a TV at WVC.  I know there was none before ’66 and I can’t recall one after, but Mike might correct me on a TV after I left in ’66.  I’m not sure of the radio’s origin.  Was it originally Mr. John White’s radio?  Was it originally a Vann radio?  I have no recollection of this.

As far as I know, Old Zenith resided under the Men’s Suit Rack until the store changed hands in 87-ish.  At that time, I think Daddy took it to 600 Main Street, although I have no recollection of seeing it there.  It resurfaced again in circa 89-90, in Chapel Hill.  I moved in ’88 to an old home near campus and I recall my parents bringing it here to CH when they came for a visit.  It was wrapped in a blanket and ended up in my attic.  This timing would equate with the sale of WVC and the removal of Old Zenith from the premises, but my recollection on these events is not clear.  It’s also possible the radio remained in the building until Cooper Mims bought it?  No recollection. 

I have no recall of asking for the radio; it just showed up!  After a few years in my attic, I decided to get it refinished to serve as an antique.  It wasn’t functional, but after refinishing, I found a radio shop that put it back in order.  Until recently, it worked nicely for AM reception.  Currently the dial is broken, and it’s stuck on an AM station that gets poor reception.  When it’s turned on, the dial is illuminated and there’s a cool green light that signals it’s “on”. 

Below are photos Kade and I took in 2020.  That same visit to Headland, Don McClendon and I walked around the square (and some adjacent roads).  While we were standing on the north side of the square, he looked over at the old White-Vann building and shared some stories about working there part-time when he was in school.  He said when he was dating Marilyn, Major and the family would stop in on Fridays, in the Fall, on their way over to Edd's Place for dinner prior to going to the high school football games.  I asked Don what Granddad Major would say when he would come in White-Vann.  Don said always the first thing was, "How was business today?"

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