Squire Renames Store

Originally Aired: June 13, 1938 Lum #46, "Squire Renames Store," finds the Jot 'em Down Store under new management after Lum has sold his half interest to Squire Skimp to raise money for his claim to an English estate. Abner is now stuck working alongside the pushy Squire, who immediately begins transforming the sleepy country store with aggressive sales tactics and relentless merchandising displays. Squire drives Abner ragged, insisting he arrange special displays, limit employee Jake's lunch breaks, and greet every customer with a hard sell on everything from flour to canned plums. When Lum drops by for a friendly visit, he's shocked by the changes. Squire immediately tries to sell him items he doesn't need, and Abner complains bitterly about the constant pressure to push merchandise. The transformation becomes comically evident when Abner unconsciously launches into a rehearsed sales pitch about California blue damson plums packed in maple sugar syrup, using the exact language Squire has drilled into him. The once easygoing general store has become a high-pressure sales operation, leaving both Lum and Abner to wonder what they've gotten themselves into.