OCR Text |
Show (Continued from Page 4) ground level of the Graff Building. An inside stairway to a large room above was used to provide dancing and entertainment for the townspeople. A nicholodean player piano furnished the music. The stairway made it very convenient to the fountain below for sundaies and malts. About 1946 it was made into a living quarters. The drug store with it's fountain and tables was the social center of the town for many years. It also was one of the sports centers for fishing and hunting supplies, Gerald being an avid sportsman himself . The Taylor brothers served the public for many years. In 1948 f- Gerald's Lehi Heritage - Thursday, April 2, 1981 - Page 5 Abe Ekins, joined the organization at the Main Street location. Many stories were told of Gerald's business acumen and sense of humor. One of these stories concerns the genial pharmacist while he was training Abe. Gerald went home to dinner and left Abe in charge of the store. He left Abe instructions that if he was aked for something, but didn't know what it was, to ask the customer what it was used for, then he could find the item. When Gerald returned he asked Abe how things went. Abe said everything went well and that a fellow came in for a cough syrup, so he sold a bottle of citrate of magnesia. "Hell, that's not a cough syrup, that's a laxative," son-in-la- w said Gerald. "Well, it really works," said Abe, "the guy is sitting out there on the curb and he hasn't caughed since." Because of his natural abilities for business, and getting along with the public, Abe entered pharmacy school at the University of Utah in 1949. Gerald and Stanley dissolved their interests in 1960. Stanley took over the State Street Drug and Gerald and Abe kept the Lehi Drug Company. Abe then bought Gerald's interest in the store and also bought the Utah Theater from Clen Leaney. Gerald's knowledge will be remembered by all Lehi citizens' who patronized the store. Another story is told about him: One time a customer came into the store and purchased some medicine. Gerald said, "that'll be hard-of-heari- $1.25 sir." The man threw down twenty five cents saying, "there's your twenty five cents." Gerald smiled and said, "I said one dollar and twenty five cents, sir," but the man was going out the door and down the street. Gerald shrugged his shoulders, put the twenty five cents in the till and said, "oh well, I made a dime off him anyway." The theater was torn down in 1963 and the new modern store was built and moved into. This was one of the first buildings built in Utah with a wide span with no supporting pillars. Mel Anderson was the builder. It was the second drug store in Utah to have wall to wall carpeting. Through the many years, the desire of the owners has been to give good and efficient service to the community. They thank their many friends and customers for their patronage and good will. The social center of the town may still be the Lehi Drug Store. There is something there for everyone; from a tantalizing array of penny candy for the youngsters, to cameras and candy bars, mouth wash and magazines, lipstick and laxatives for the more fastidious customers. And, there's medicine and the age-ol- d pharmaceutical expertise as provided by first the Taylors and now by Abe Ekins. - has a FREE gift for you an 8 x 10 professional color-portraof your family (or group up to 25) for helping us celebrate the Grand Opening of our new Loan Office Addition. it you do is call the bank now and ask for the portrait desk. Make an appointment between days, evenings or April 27th and May 2nd there! This is our can Dad be so weekends gift to you. You need not be a customer you do not have to open an account or make a deposit. Come by and see our new addition at State Bank of Lehi. We've expanded to serve you better with new Loan Offices. Help us celebrate our Grand Opening get a free family portrait, a beautiful utility knife or pick up a free gift. All Add $250 to a new or existing savings account and knife. get a beautiful multi-purpos- e 99 West Main Street, Lehi, Utah 84043 Light Refreshments Free Knife offer Phone 768-844- 4 JO) 7QtA ytnniiwvan State Bank of Lehi ICC" MEMBER FOIC |