Back in the '70s, we operated a cleaning plant in the warehouse of a major mid-western department store. Store personnel picked up and delivered area rugs and furniture for us to clean. We'd call their dispatcher to arrange for their trucks to make a stop. Occasionally, we would call a few minutes past 4:30 PM to ask for a pickup or delivery to be scheduled the next day. The answer would be, "Sorry, the bell done rung at 4:30."
This mentality permeated many businesses as well as the department store industry in the '70s when they were the best places to shop. Today, that warehouse is gone, all of their stores have been sold and indeed the entire industry has been brought to its knees by competition working more hours and providing merchandise at better prices. The bell truly did toll for them.
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