The name comes from the barrels of soda crackers that could be found for sale in small-town stores across the American South in the early 1900s; people would stand around the barrels chatting and catching up, similar in purpose to contemporary office water coolers.
Might be an unpopular opinion, but I have no problem with stores selling holiday stuff way in advance of the holiday. Some people want to get their decorations all lined up, be working on crafts, or whatever. What I object to is when stores decorate for the holiday way in advance. I don't want to see Christmas trees and snow men in October or pumpkins and witches in July.
There used to be a shop (two shops, actually, operated by the same guy; he now retired) in my home town that was selling Christmas stuff all year. Not other stuff plus some Christmas stuff, but just Christmas stuff.
I don't want to hear a goddamn thing about War on Christmas because that shit is winning, taking over and annexing pretty much everything after Summer at this point.
First it was a day, then two days (gotta include the Eve!!) Then the 12 days of Christmas, fucking hell. So on and so on.
And woe to you if you work Retail. Mariah Carey is coming for you.
Have you ever been somewhere and seen one of those "Christmas all year around" stores with nothing but Christmas stuff inside? Who shops in those when it isn't near Christmas?