SPAGS

[Flaptail]

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.

[Swimmer]

No bags at Spag's..................

[Bronko]

Used to go there after hockey at the Northstar Arena in Westboro. My father got me my first saltwater rod & reel there. Still have the 704z and the rod! LOVED going there.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

No bags at Spag's..................

no bags at BJ's whole either Swimmer...they just recycle their cardboard
boxes for the customer to carry stuff in.... on the way out....

yeah i used to by alot of fishing gear their just before the old man passed.
after that it started to retrograde.

[Backbeach Jake]

It's being razed. to be small businesses and condos.
Really a mercy killing at this point.
I'll always remember the original store and how packed it was with quality goods for the best prices around.
Flap, you're right the regular guy couldn't have gotten by without Spag's. His pricing spoiled me for life. That tiny store had it all, food, tools ,paint ,work clothes, fishing gear and more at the cheapest price around.
And the boss could be seen prowling the aisles.

[Raven]

that I HATED about spags...

not in the store...

was that BIG friggan white painted rock
in the parking lot on the corner

one day i take off in my ford van.. turning

i'm up high so i can't see the thing even though

it weighed 500 pounds or more

and i crunched the whole side of my van body on that sucka

what a beotch that was.... i was so pissed....

[Chris in Mass]

Moved up from Jersey 20 years ago and was an immediate Spags fan - going up and down the ramps - placed was always packed. I wonder who got the huge Reliable Lure Co plug that was hanging over the fishing dept. I have been eye-balling that thing the last few years just knowing that it would be disappearing. Just bought a $39 wetsuit there this week - probably my last purchase in the big old building.