More downtown memories from a reader
Longtime newspaper reader Larry Good sent me the photo above, along with even more downtown memories.
He writes, “There was a Kresge store there In the first block of West Market. I had to be an every Saturday morning pack mule by threat of lumps for my mother till I was old enough to attend the chapters at the Rialto. My reward was either a 5 cent bag of fresh roasted peanuts from Mike’s Nut Shop or a vanilla Ice cream soda at the Morris Drug fountain located In the first block of East Market St. or from Whelands (sp?) Drug Store In the NW corner of the square. A vanilla or cherry Coke was also an option. In the square also was G. C. Murphy where my brother-In-law received his manager training. I think that is Morris Drug next to G. C. Murphy Co.”
How about everyone else? Do you remember Kresge, G.C. Murphy, Morris Drug or Wheland’s? (I can’t confirm that spelling either, as I’m not familiar with it!)
I was just reading your blog and found it quite enjoyable. Although I was born in York, I never lived there, but these stories are conjuring up good memories of our family’s history in York. Seeing your mention of GC Murphy’s in the Square motivated me to write and say that in 1949 my father was Murphy’s new assistant manager having just relocated to York from Clearfield. My mother, Peggy Wills, was a clerk there and had been since her 1948 graduation from York Catholic High School. My parents met at Murphy’s and married in 1951 at St. Patrick’s. This past May they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, so GC Murphy’s is near and dear to our hearts.
That is awesome, i still live in York. Most people younger than me wouldn’t even remember GC Murphy’s. It was my favorite store at a time when downtown York was alive and full of the best of everything. I was still a kid but was still sad to see it go.
I worked at G C Murphy in the early 80’s. The location was in a strip mall with a Weis Market and a Bookland. The store had the old-fashioned register and a lunch counter. Good times!