Looking back at Falley's
Grocery store played role in accepting diversity in Topeka
10:50 p.m. Sunday, June 29, 2008
Falley's Market said goodbye to its customers on Saturday.
It's the end of an era in Topeka, but tonight 49 News talked to someone who says the store will be missed but not forgotten.
The doors to Falley's in Southeast Topeka are closed for good, but 40 years ago the doors were open for opportunity.
" Mr. Lou Falley, who is now deceased, gave me my first opportunity be be the first, to my knowledge, African American youth to work in a major retail store in this city," said Topekan Sandra Lassiter.
But that wasn't the case in many other businesses in the Capital City.
Melba Goodwin worked at Falley's with Lassiter.
" I don't think you saw as many black people in the business world they were either waiters or shoe shine boys," Goodwin said.
Lassiter worked hard to be a pioneer for other African-American youth in Topeka.
"That gave me an opportunity to prove myself, so to speak, and establish integrity," she said.
Now 40 years later -- both women bonded by that early experience -- hope to see positive movement when it comes to diversity.
" I think we shouldn't see color when we look at people," Goodwin said.
" Every time we have an opportunity to move forward we should take that, even if we are the only one. That's important, but not to say that 'I'm the only black.' Well, that may be, and that's an opportunity for someone else to follow," Lassiter said.
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