The Rexall Drug Store was owned by the Knapp family and run by Carl and Jan Webster. It was open seasonally and was located on Greig Street across from what is now the Krenzer Marina store. It became Natures Children from 1975-1993. The building has since been torn down and the property is owned by Krenzers now. Photos courtesy of Dick Ransley.
Above photo: Popeye the Sailor
Above Photo: Big Jim and little Jim pose in front of the Rexall Drug Store (1965). Big Jim is Jim Swan brother-in-law to Henry Newport.
This store was originally the Bassage Store and Carl Webster was named to run it in June of 1916 as mentioned in the June 11, 1936 (page 9) issue of theRecord in their Twenty Years Ago column:
Memories:
Frank Grosz remembers the “shocker” inside the store. It was a 1 penny machine that you pulled two handles and it would give you quite a shock! He liked to have the “city kids” on vacation hold onto him while he paid his 1 cent! It also had a soda fountain counter.
The original Rexall Drug Shocker! Photo courtesy of Rusty Schryer who owns it!
Fred Clevenger also remembers the shocker: I remember that it was at the counter; put a penny in it and hold one brass handle turn the other and it would Shock you and you turned it to see how much you can take
Kevin Herrick remembers: Yep, when it was natures children, they had a machine on the counter. You put in a penny and hold the handles, and as you pulled the handles apart, you would get a slight electrical shock. The farther apart the handles got, the more of a jolt you got……..test of either courage or stupidity, can’t remember which, but in hindsight and knowing me and how many pennies went in there, it was probably stupidity!
Gail Wackerle remembers: Carl Webster & his wife operated it. It was open spring til fall. It had a soda bar , served milkshakes, delicious phosphates, lime cherry you name it. Had medicine over the counter stuff, it was wonderful. Comic books, you name it. A place to set, with round tables & the Coca-Cola chairs, newspapers, gifts, postcards, film and cameras. Just great. When Helfers Krenzers Marina burnt so did the drug store.
Stephen Francis Ferola-Pope remembers: I remember that place very well! Mr Ransley use to be the Pharmacist! I use to go there all the time as a kid!
Delores Johnson remembers: The drug store had the best hot fudge sundaes in SP.
When the store caught fire that winter and my parents had to tell me that the soda fountain had been destroyed and the Webster’s would no longer be able to rebuild it as it had been, I cried. The feelings of being in that repository of wonders remain.