Former West Sider Jessie Randall reminisces about growing up on the West Side in today’s T&G (March 11, 2008)

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080311/NEWS/803110401

If you grew up on the West Side of Worcester when I did, you might be familiar with Jessica Randall...an absolutely gorgeous girl from a very nice family. She grew up on Berwick Street, went to Flagg and Bancroft, played softball in Jesse Burkett Little League and grew up to own Loeffler Randall, her very own high-end shoes and clothing line. Their products are available at stores like Barneys and Neiman Marcus.
http://www.loefflerrandall.com/

In today’s article, Randall remembers life on Worcester’s West Side...

“Question: What are your most prominent recollections of Worcester?
Answer: My amazing group of girlfriends from Flagg Street School. To this day, they are still some of my closest, best friends. It is one of the greatest gifts in my life that I went to school with such amazing, creative, funny friends...Brian proposing to me at Spag’s...The neighborhood I grew up in that had it’s own Whiffleball (sic) field. (Berwick Street)...Having almost all of my extended family live off Pleasant Street...Children’s Theatre, Brownies, PEAK, art classes at the Craft Center...eating frozen Charleston Chews during Jesse Burkett games...”

Great memories...from a somewhat bygone era. Spag’s is gone. PEAK is gone. I don’t know about the Charlestown Chews... that brings me back...I will have to check that out. Any young families living on Berwick Street these days?

She’s a West Side success story no question, but you don’t see many of those actually living in Worcester as adults.

She’s also Target’s featured designer right now and her bags and shoes are available there until March 23.The display is right inside the door in the Target on Lincoln Street. I’ve noted for months that Lincoln Square was missing this opportunity (big surprise) with no mention of her Worcester roots. So, if you buy one of her bags --while they are still affordable to us regular people,--wear it with Worcester West Side pride but don't expect anyone to notice its style in Worcester.