Hooper's Store - Overview

Overview

Founded by Mr. Harold Hooper in 1951, the store originally ran along the lines of a general/candy store. The menu was extensive and suited to the dietary needs of the different cultures that lived on Sesame Street; along with traditional American diner-type food, the restaurant even served birdseed milkshakes for Big Bird. Not only was the menu broad, the store stocked up in everything from dry goods to soap dishes. The store even sold empty cigar boxes for a while, as evidenced in Christmas Eve on Sesame Street; this is unusual, as no one has ever smoked cigarettes, cigars, or pipes in public on Sesame Street, but the boxes were likely used to store stuff.

Based on the Ernie and Bert skit There were monkeys in my bed, in which the song "Living in, on, and under" is sung, it may be plausible that Hooper's is open in early morning hours like a convenience store or truck stop. If this is the case, it is even plausible that Natalie or another New Yorker manages the store during the off-hours for Alan, the present operator of the store.