A few weeks ago, we paid a visit to Saginaw’s State Street Kroger. When it opened on February 29, 1956, advertising promoted it as “a wonderland of food.”
This link will take you to the earlier post.
Beyond the isles of produce, meat and convenience food were a myriad of kitchen items, household needs, and toys. And during the weeks leading up to the holidays, larger toys would be featured--if we remember correctly the colorful boxes were displayed above the produce counters. Out of reach, but clearly visible to children who could remind their parents of the availability of toys they had seen advertised on television.
One of the toys carried at Kroger was the Dream Kitchen* manufactured by Deluxe Reading Toys. Deluxe Reading found a ready market for their products through grocery stores – in fact, the firm’s dolls are often referred to as grocery store dolls.
Located on the edge of a rapidly suburbanizing Saginaw, the State Street Kroger was a perfect venue for an aspirational ultra-modern toy kitchen:
“[T]he "Dream Kitchen" (circa 1961) which consisted of 4 twelve-inch-tall colorful kitchen appliances, a kitchen table and 4 chairs. This toy was unique in that the sink worked with water, the oven contained batteries which revolved a plastic turkey on a spit inside the oven, the refrigerator had pull-out shelves, and the dishwasher also worked with water. Also included were scores of food boxes, cleaning supplies, food replica items, plates, utensils and more. The box proclaimed that it held ‘176 pieces.’ The size of the set perfectly matched the size of Barbie, a toy doll which was wildly popular at that time.” (https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/deluxe-reading-brand)
It is intriguing to compare the appliances in the Dream Kitchen with a description of a 1960s Saginaw kitchen:
“The Modern Kitchen has edged grain Douglas fir cupboards with stainless steel knobs along two walls with a stainless steel oven, double stainless steel sink with garbage disposal unit and other built-in features including broom and pantry closets. But there is no automatic dishwasher because Mrs. Protzman believes that ‘washing dishes is one of the joys of being a housewife.’” (The Saginaw News July 15, 1960.)
We could explore and contrast the Dream Kitchen range and refrigerator with the c. 1953 Frigidaire appliances on display at the Castle Museum and we could note that the Dream Kitchen dishwasher did not function very well; however, the CTK staff is intent on interpreting the faux Jello mold included in the Dream Kitchen pantry. And we are distracted by a leaky toy faucet.
*A member of the CTK staff requested and received a Dream Kitchen - the one shown in the photographs, as a Christmas gift in 1962. It was purchased at the State Street Kroger. The marketing for the Dream Kitchen followed gender-specific marketing stereotypes of the period; however, the staff member was male. The staff member was entranced with the running water, lighted stove, and that amazing turkey on a rotisserie. At four years of age, who was not captivated by a revolving turkey? Although the plumbing was primitive and could be messy, it was a very satisfying toy. A couple of years later, he received another Deluxe Reading toy as a gift, a Crusader 101 – a big, red motorized convertible. Although eagerly awaited and handsome, it proved to be much less satisfying than the kitchen. It was clumsy and simply moved forward and backward. It didn’t have 176 pieces and lacked many of the things that made the dream kitchen so enjoyable – running water and that amazing turning turkey.
The Recipe: Pastel Dessert
From The Joys of Jello (1968). “A refreshing dessert to serve molded, in sherbet glasses, or as a pie.” An easy, minimal-ingredient dessert, the pastel dessert proved to be simple and delicious. It leaves one with plenty of time to get back to their dream kitchen—and toy jello mold.
Ingredients:
1 package (4-serving size) Jell-O Vanilla or Coconut Cream Pudding and Pie Filling*
1 package (3 oz) Jell-O Gelatin, any flavor (we chose orange)
2 ½ Cups water
1 envelope Dream Whip Whipped Topping Mix
Directions:
Combine Jell-O Pudding Mix, Jell-O Gelatin, and water in a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil and is thickened and clear. Chill until mixture begins to set.
Prepare Dream Whip as directed on package; thoroughly blend into the chilled pudding mixture. Spoon into sherbet glasses or a serving dish, individual molds or a 1-quart mold, or a cooled baked 9-inch pie shell. Chill until firm—at least 4 hours. Makes about 4 cups or 6 to 8 servings.
