For some reason Corner Drug seemed like a friendly "anchor" for the businesses downtown.
It was literally on the corner ..... of Main Street and College Avenue .... and had an entrance on both streets, just like the current occupant Moe's does. At the back of the store was the pharmacy and nearer the front (College Ave. side) was the lunch counter. The food was pretty decent and the store itself had most everything you'd expect to find in a drug store.
But, it wasn't the only game in town by any means. It had competition in the form of Center Drug (across the street) and Tech Drug (on the same block), and Gables Pharmacy on the south end of town. Still, the Corner Drug store seems to be the one us old timers remember best.
Why can't we have a drugstore downtown again?
I have great memories of painting the windows at Halloween when I was in 6th grade. Mr. Utin had it worked out that his students did that each year.
ReplyDeleteCool!!! Thanks for the memory.
ReplyDeleteHey Dennis, great blog, love the photos and memories. Just joined up today. Hopefully I will be able to contribute. Mike Brown (or Professor Zero) email- ropebug@aol.com
DeleteCorner Drug had the little grave yard in the window with one open grave for each of the HOKIES football opponents for that season. If the HOKIES won, the grave was covered with sand. If the HOKIES lost, the grave remained open. The opponents names were on little cross shaped tomb stones.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. Little Doc's did the same thing, and the tradition is being continued by Souvlaki's today.
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ReplyDeleteI just found your blog. Great work! I worked at the Corner Drug in the mid 80's part-time to earn spending money while at Tech. I lamented its passing, as I did with Mr. Fooz. Blacksburg is still a great place, but downtown doesn't have quite the character it once did.
ReplyDeleteSteve
Thanks Steve. I totally agree with you, the downtown isn't like it used to be. Personally I liked it when there were fewer bars and more interesting shops, but I still love Blacksburg.
ReplyDeleteThe Corner Drug Store was THE after school place to be in the late 50's, 60s and into the 70s. My mama would give me a quarter and send me down the hill when she didn't want to make supper, which would buy me a burger and coke. Coke Floats were awesome too.
ReplyDelete"Doc" Christopher owned Corner Drug. At the lunch counter you could get freshly squeezed limeade and the best egg salad sandwich ever.
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