No More Ralph's Newstand in Dekalb, Illinois

DEKALB, ILLINOIS-- From Brian Butko's Lincoln Highway News, a Dekalb landmark for 55 years closed this past Friday. Ralph's Newstand at the corner of 7th Street and Lincoln Highway is no more.

Ralph Seats owned and operated the place from 1952 until his death last year at age 83. It was originally in the 600 block of Lincoln, but moved to its present location.

This place was like an old-time general store and would have to be described as cluttered to the max. Reminded me of the Smith Brothers store in Clinton, Iowa.

I visited this store many times while a student at NIU from 1969-1973 as well as visits after graduating. I particularly went for Ralph's little stand of 45s that had previously been played on jukeboxes. These sold for 39 cents instead of the usual 99 cents at that time. Many were in very good shape, but you had to really look the records over because some were scratched or worn very badly. They all had a little hole punched in the label to indicate jukebox use. I bought many, many, many of these records which helped me greatly when I started deejaying in 1982.

My wife Liz and her roommate Debbie bought the infamous Burt Reynolds poster in Cosmo Magazine there in 1972. It's the one featuring him with no clothes except an arm strategically placed. This was the hot thing for girls to collect. No other place in Dekalb had it (all sold out). They got last one at Ralph's. Those wild co-eds.

Upon graduation, Debbie inherited it. I wonder if she still has it?

Of course, like the mom and pop motels and record stores, these newstands are fast riding off into the sunset.

Life Goes On. Goodbye Ralph's. --RoadDog