Watkins Drugstore
For the adolescent of my day, Watkins Drugstore was the neighborhood hangout.
Whenever we went there, be it after school, evenings, or weekends, we could always be assured of meeting friends and having a good time. Most often, we would talk about our latest adventures, pranks, the telling of jokes, and of course relentless boastings. If you were there by yourself, you automatically migrated to the magazine rack where you could stand and read the latest issue of your favorite comic book or magazine. At the cost of ten or fifteen cents a copy, a purchase was seldom made, unless that copy happened to contain something special. The most popular comics were Bat Man, The Green Hornet, The Shadow, Flash Gordon, Captain America, and Captain Marvel. While the popular magazines of the day were Sporting Life, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Esquire, Look, Life, Time, Collier’s, and The Saturday Evening Post.
We were always welcome to browse at the magazine rack, as long as we handled the merchandise carefully and did not abuse the privilege. If we were inconsiderate or disrespectful, we were politely asked to either leave, or buy something. On occasions when the magazine section was occupied with paying customers, we were presented with the same option. When that happened, we would reluctantly leave, because very few of us had free spending money, even though we were in the midst of the economic boom times of WWII.
I do not know how it came about, but somehow I managed to get the most popular job in Watkins Drugstore. I became a soda jerk. Working behind the magnificent white marble-topped counter: dispensing sodas, floats, banana splits, and ice cream cones. This was a job of true pleasure, because it presented the opportunity to meet and socialize with most of the girls who sat at the counter. The fountain had eight to ten stools, which meant, at times, I could be quite busy. I always looked forward to that time, because it gave me a chance to show preference to the girl that I thought was most friendly and beautiful; and the one I would like to get to know. This tact proved to be successful sometimes…and…sometimes not.
Aah…the inevitable challenge of adolescence! Those were wonderful times!
Whenever we went there, be it after school, evenings, or weekends, we could always be assured of meeting friends and having a good time. Most often, we would talk about our latest adventures, pranks, the telling of jokes, and of course relentless boastings. If you were there by yourself, you automatically migrated to the magazine rack where you could stand and read the latest issue of your favorite comic book or magazine. At the cost of ten or fifteen cents a copy, a purchase was seldom made, unless that copy happened to contain something special. The most popular comics were Bat Man, The Green Hornet, The Shadow, Flash Gordon, Captain America, and Captain Marvel. While the popular magazines of the day were Sporting Life, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Esquire, Look, Life, Time, Collier’s, and The Saturday Evening Post.
We were always welcome to browse at the magazine rack, as long as we handled the merchandise carefully and did not abuse the privilege. If we were inconsiderate or disrespectful, we were politely asked to either leave, or buy something. On occasions when the magazine section was occupied with paying customers, we were presented with the same option. When that happened, we would reluctantly leave, because very few of us had free spending money, even though we were in the midst of the economic boom times of WWII.
I do not know how it came about, but somehow I managed to get the most popular job in Watkins Drugstore. I became a soda jerk. Working behind the magnificent white marble-topped counter: dispensing sodas, floats, banana splits, and ice cream cones. This was a job of true pleasure, because it presented the opportunity to meet and socialize with most of the girls who sat at the counter. The fountain had eight to ten stools, which meant, at times, I could be quite busy. I always looked forward to that time, because it gave me a chance to show preference to the girl that I thought was most friendly and beautiful; and the one I would like to get to know. This tact proved to be successful sometimes…and…sometimes not.
Aah…the inevitable challenge of adolescence! Those were wonderful times!
Source
Story contributed by Melvin W. Cook, October 21, 2012.
Another business that was on the corner of NE Union Avenue and Failing was Watkins Drug Store. Behind Watkins Drug Store was the SweetArts Candy Company. My aunt, Elizabeth Pfenning Leonardini, worked there for years. The drug store also had a fountain, and my mother would take me for walks and buy me an ice cream cone. In those days, a nickel cone was pretty big.
Source
Story contributed by Marcia Staunton.
Last updated November 12, 2016.