It’s been quite the week for namesakes of Wallingford businesses. Yesterday was Ivar Haglund’s birthday, and tomorrow is Archie McPhee’s. The quirky toy/party/doodad/curiosities store that bears his name, at the corner of N. 45th St. and Stone Way, will offer free gifts with a $5 purchase and cookies for everyone.
The Archie McPhee web site features a bio of the store’s inspiration. An excerpt:
Believe it or not, Archie McPhee was a real person. In 1924, a young Archie McPhee of Bismark, North Dakota, decided that he was going to bring the revolutionary new music called “jazz” to the Orient. He formed a swinging jazz band, the North Star Music Makers, and as their manager booked passage for them on the S.S. President Madison as the ship’s band.
The Madison was docked at the Port of Seattle, coincidentally the future home of his namesake store. When Archie arrived, he discovered the ship had made accommodations for the band, but not for him. Luckily, one of the ship’s coal stokers failed to show, so Archie took the job and managed his band from deep inside the hold.
In Asia, the band played hotels and cafes in Shanghai, Kobe, and Yokohama. They also performed at the Governor General’s Ball in Manila and were offered a 6-month contract by the Army & Navy Club there.
As you can see, the original Archie was someone who knew how to have a good time and had the gumption to spread it around. He is still our inspiration and everything we do reflects his fun loving spirit.
