Home
Pharmacy
Radio Shack
Hallmark
Yankee Candles
Specialty Gifts
Online Rx Services
Prescription Refill
Drug Information
Natural Medicine
Health and Disease
Store Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday
8:30am - 1:00pm
Off Site Link:
Braden Med Services
|
In the year 1865, in a modest manner, a man by the name of F. Gar Okey opened a drug store on the southeast corner of the public square in Caldwell. The fixtures of the store were the latest that could be secure in Civil War days. The lines of merchandise, drugs, etc., were displayed in a manner that readily appealed to the patrons of the store in those days.
Much water had gone under the bridge since the humble beginning of this Caldwell institution. Owners in procession had come and gone, each adding his bit to the upbringing of the store, installing equipment, and fixtures adequate for his day, until today we have the modern Gillespie Drug Store.
Following Mr. Gar Okey, the store next was owned by F.G. Okey and son; then by Ed Spannagel. Following Mr. Spannagel the store was operated by John Ijams, who then sold it to Robert W. Ralston. Follow Mr. Ralston came G.E. Crute who sold it to Newell Grooms. Six months later Mr. Crute re-purchased the store, operating it until October 1 st, 1935, when he sold to William Gillespie.
Mr. Gillespie, a graduate of the Caldwell High School and Ohio Nothern School of Pharmacy, worked for Mr. Crute during his high school days and became interested in the business to the degree that he desired to own and operate the store. He had ideas of how he would remodel the store, making improvements here and there to better display merchandise, improve the general appearance, and create better arrangement of his stock room and prescription department. After careful checking of various sets of plans, Mr. Gillespie finally decided upon the fine result which was witnessed at his store.
The store had been remodeled, redecorated, and artistically arranged from the front to the very last shelf of the stock room in the rear. Practically all merchandise was displayed in glass cases throughout the store. New floor covering and indirect lighting effects was also a pleasing feature. A glistening white enameled steel ceiling reflected the lighting effect to perfect advantage. Taken all together, the arrangement, modern fixtures, bright cleanliness, and attractive display, made the Gillespie Drug Store one of the finest throughout the United States.
The store has always enjoyed a large prescription patronage and Mr. Gillespie had spared nothing to make that department of his store as fine as any to be found in any city. Presiding over the prescription department was pharmacist Sam Davies, who came to the store immediately after Mr. Gillespie had became the owner. He had more than twenty-five years experience as a pharmacist, coming to Caldwell from Coshocton. In his department only the best drugs obtainable were found, and every item was manufactured by such well-known companies as Lilly, Parke-Davis & Company., and Abbott Laboratories. They were kept in stock so that each and every prescription was filled exactly as ordered by physicians.
The Gillespie Drugs Store was the Caldwell agency for Nyal Products, famous throughout the nation for years as top of their line. Squibb products also occupied a prominent place in the Gillespie Drug Store, and were sold at prices that cannot be bettered anywhere in the nation. Throughout the store attractive wall cases displayed many other items of household needs, toiletries, sundries, gift items, etc. Hollingsworth candles, famous for their fine quality, filled the spacious candy department. The entire line of Gibson greeting cards made easy selection of appropriate messages for every occasion.
An unusually large stock of Kodak cameras, film for all makes, and beautiful picture frames were handled in the picture department. Prompt developing and enlarging was also featured in this department.
The Gillespie Drug Store made a continuous effort to secure merchandise of fine quality for every department of the store at savings that were passed on to their customers. Narrow profits and large volume made it possible for the low prices offered at this store.
While not to be confused with cut-rate drug stores, where inferior merchandise is offered, the Gillespie Drug Store did have price reduction sales on quality merchandise from time to time. Greatest of these is the Nyal 1 Cent Sale, with which the communities had become acquainted and sincerely welcome. Fair prices, however, prevailed at all times.
The late William Gillespie was congratulated upon his optimism and progressiveness in distressed times, for a trait not readily found at every hand. His initiative deserved the commendation of all and his store the patronage and support from the entire community.
|