Tom and Pam have always had a good idea of what people want and create an atmosphere that can ’ t be imitated , even by them . Tom originally wanted to open multiple locations . At one point in the late 70s , there was a second store across town from the original , but without Tom and Pam ’ s personal touch , it wasn ’ t the same vibe , and soon they went back to one shop . ( Note : The old bong pictured on left that I purchased at Kaleidoscope North Circa in 1980 .)
Although the old house is long gone and the new place , which borders the first property , has little resemblance to the place I went to more than forty years ago , I still get the same tingle I had as a young adult . There is an amazing assortment of gifts and jewelry , but for me , the attraction is , and always was , going upstairs . The old house had an apartment upstairs , but with a growing family , Tom , Pam , and their kids Alan and Whitney moved out of the apartment , and the head shop moved in . Upstairs at Kaleidoscope was and is marijuana heaven . What started as a few pipes and papers has changed and grown as much as the rest of the store .
Something else that continues to thrive is the relationship forged with The Ozark Mountain Daredevils . Tom still maintains a close friendship with founding member John Dillon . John , who lives in a nearby town , owns property in an area with buildings that are all a century old . Recently one of the buildings collapsed and Tom , who can never resist a joke , had to call his old friend to talk about it . “ John , I think you might want to sell your place because it looks like real estate down there is really falling .”
Tom can ’ t even resist a joke about his marriage , which he takes very seriously . I have honestly not met many people so obviously in love after fifty years of matrimony . Recently to celebrate his wedding anniversary , Tom bought ad space on local radio stations that said , “ This is Tom from Kaleidoscope , and I would like to wish my wife Pam a happy anniversary , but more importantly , Keith Richards is 79 years old today .” Without knowing it , they opened the store on John Lennon ’ s birthday and were married on Keith Richards ’. If that ’ s not rock and roll credibility , I don ’ t know what is .
When I considered the idea of writing this article , I thought I would learn about the early history of cannabis culture , which I did . Surprisingly , I also heard a love story , learned a vocabulary word , and was treated to a bunch of jokes . Tom explained the store ’ s beginnings , “ It all began when I met my wife , Pam .” At this point , he stopped talking , and his eyes drifted off . I could tell that I had just witnessed something profound .
Tom told me he was thinking about the first time he saw Pam walking towards him , and then he described the outfit she was wearing . Mind you ; this event happened in 1969 . “ She was wearing lizard skin boots , a short brown skirt , a diaphanous brown blouse , and a jacket with a cape .” When I heard this , I was aware of two things . First , I was jealous of Tom for having a relationship I will never have . He remembered every detail of something that happened over fifty years ago . Second , I did not know the meaning of diaphanous . I can research things like that as a professional writer , so I did . It is a sheer , nearly transparent fabric . You ’ re welcome , scrabble players .
The Piersons started the company and outlasted their competitors by sticking to Tom ’ s simple business philosophy , “ I never say no to anything . Kaleidoscope is always changing .” That is a minor understatement . After going through the dark ages when there was a good chance of being arrested for selling drug paraphernalia , Tom and Pam now own a respected business that sells legal products to consume a legal substance . Thank you , Amendment 3 .
The event that put Kaleidoscope on the map and paved the way for it to become the landmark it is today was the release of an album coveted by every teenager and rock and roller in the area . The Ozark Mountain Daredevils , who started in Springfield , put out their second release , “ It ’ ll Shine When It Shines ,” in 1974 . It was so popular local retailers could not keep it in stock . Tom saw an opportunity to bring new customers into the shop and bought 50 cases of albums . Word got out that if you wanted the album , Kaleidoscope was the place to get it . Tom and Pam sold the record at cost as a promotional item . The idea created so much goodwill within the community , that what started out as an out-of-the-way place for the neglected marijuana subculture is now a respectable business still thriving decades later .
Tom and Pam no longer operate the store daily . They have passed the reins to their daughter , Whitney Creehan , and manager Kim Smith who are guiding Kaleidoscope into the next 50 years of success . If you are in the Springfield area , stop by and visit Whitney and Kim and look around . They have things for people of all ages , including babies , and if you ’ re lucky , maybe Tom will be there . If he is , don ’ t be surprised if he tells you a joke . If you do have the opportunity to drop in , make sure you make the trip upstairs . You will see some fantastic artwork that tells part of the story of the early history of the place . More importantly , you will get to visit a place that , for cannabis consumers , is truly legendary . It ’ s the closest thing to a cannabis museum that we have .
Jay Richardson is a highly experienced home cultivator adept at producing top-quality edibles in a home environment . You can find his growing tips and cannaeducational information monthly in The EVOLUTION Magazine and on his youtube . com /@ bobosbotanicals / featured channel , where he also adds a humorous touch . His sense of humor is displayed on his new novelty tee shirts , available at www . ThatBadassShirt . com .
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