Pat Imig posted on June 18, 2012 00:00
Last week, news broke that St. Louis’ Queen of Carpets was no longer in business. After more than 30 years, Becky’s Carpet and Tile Superstore is just a memory. Selfishly, this is sour news because we won’t get to see Becky dressed as a turkey for Thanksgiving:
Up until a month ago, she was still taping tv spots to run through the end of the year, Rothman said, noting that she wore a turkey outfit for a Thanksgiving commercial and a Santa Claus get-up for one around Christmas.
“Maybe you will see my turkey outfit -- you never know,” she said optimistically. “They say you can’t keep a good woman down -- and in my case, you can’t keep me grounded for too long.”
That’s unfortunate. Becky Queen of Carpets and her partner in crime Wanda Princess of Tiles have left an indellible imprint in the annals of local TV broadcasting. Take a look at these beauties ...
No way we're overlooking Mizerany, either.
Brook and Amy Dubman
The Carol House siblings have always annoyed me. I've always wanted to kick Brook Dubman in the gut and then give him the Stone Cold Stunner while he was blindfolded. I would do this under the pretense that it would make Brook cry while I scolded him for not liking nice things. Stunners are nice things.
Dan Behlmann
Dan only makes this list because he used to offer free hot dogs and soda to his customers. I always wanted to stop by on a weekend to eat one and then leave. I also value hot dogs and soda more than Dave Sinclair giving me a thank you and an address, so Dan gets the nod here over Sinclair in what some St. Louis residents might consider an upset.
Dirt Cheap Chicken
He's the Fredbird of booze. No way he was missing from this list, especially since the TV viewing world witnessed his birth.
Don Brown
Christmas coats go a long way.
Johnny Londoff
It's all in the jingle. Isn't in John?
Ray Vinson
Over the last two years, Ray Vinson and his son have bombarded the airwaves with ads featuring Tony La Russa and Bernie Ferderko. Ray Vinson is one hell of an actor.
Rodney D Young
Honestly, I would have guessed Rodney D. Young was defunct but the insurance company is still kicking. I suppose my ignorance is due to the fact that I no longer see television commercials imploring me to think young … Rodney D Young.
Here's one that aired in Chicago.
Schweig Engel
Schweig Engel owns the dubious distinction of creating memorable ad campaigns that leave people wondering what in the Hell just happened. As an example, I didn’t even remember what Schweig Engel did. Insurance firm? No. Schweig Engel sold appliances and electronics. It was half Bargain Barn, half Sears with a little bit of crack sprinkled in (the really bad crack that homeless people do in the streets that turns them violent).
These people need to beaten mercilessly.
Slyman Brothers
Something about the 80s put local businesses on the Arch … literally. I remember the Slyman Brothers sitting on the Arch and thanks to Youtube, you can too.
Vintage Slyman!
Steve Goedeker
Every day but Sunday. Highest technology at the lowest price. I bet Goedeker loves Tim Tebow.
Ted Drewes
“It really is good guys. And gals!” Ted Drewes is unique to this list in that his pitch and product are completely devoid of silly, over-the-top promotion. That isn’t to say other ad campaigns listed here aren’t legit; it’s to say that when it comes to local business, frozen custard sells itself (give or take Ted dancing a jig or two).
Terry Crouppen
Crouppen’s TV longevity keeps him way ahead of the quasi-legends of yesteryear, TJ Mullin Attorney at Law and Chuck Rizzo of the Traffic Law Hotline.
When I was in grade school, my friends and I would prank his number at 421-HELP. Sorry Terry. We were just a couple of kids who were up to no good.
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