Jul 18, 2024

📷 Throwback Thursday: A&A - Vol. 79

Posted Jul 18, 2024 10:49 AM
A&A Drug Store #2 - 801 E. 4th - 1927. (R.H. Hammond Owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
A&A Drug Store #2 - 801 E. 4th - 1927. (R.H. Hammond Owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southeast corner of East 4th Avenue and North Pershing.

In 1885, S.M. Arter and L. Ardery started a drug company at 104 N. Main, calling it A&A Drugs.

By 1893, they moved next door to a larger building at 106 N. Main.

This longtime business was eventually sold to Raymond Hammond in 1927. He expanded the company to four stores by 1930.

One of those stores was at 801 E. 4th, built in 1927. The first photo shows A&A Drugs at 801 E. 4th at opening.

A&A Drug Store #2 - 801 E. 4th - 1927. (R.H. Hammond Owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
A&A Drug Store #2 - 801 E. 4th - 1927. (R.H. Hammond Owner). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1947, Charles Dowse purchased it to become Dowse Drug Co.

Between 1949 and 1967, it was Woody's Drug Co. owned by W.A. Coffin.

Between 1968 and 1977, the property changed identity to become the Mary Carter Paint Store.

Between 1978 and 1984, it was Metzler's Paint & Wallpaper.

In 1985, it was The Color Wheel - Paint & Wallpaper.

In 1987, it was Paradise Sound - Video Recording - Equipment Sales & Service.

In 2012, it became La Esquina Latina Mexican Goods. The second photo shows that enterprise then.

A&A Drug Store #2 - La Esquina Latina - 801 E. 4th - Sept. 2, 2012. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
A&A Drug Store #2 - La Esquina Latina - 801 E. 4th - Sept. 2, 2012. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The third photo shows the property today, looking pretty vacant, with it being owned by Oscar Nufio and Geronima Rizo of Wichita.

A&A Drug Store #2 - Now - 801 E. 4th - June 18, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
A&A Drug Store #2 - Now - 801 E. 4th - June 18, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum

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