Please excuse me for getting swept away into my far distant past and slightly off subject.
I have to go back to Gyppo's "Drug Store" because it brought back such memories.
My very first memory of visiting a drug story was with Mother and one of her friends. I don't remember why I was the only child there, just the magic of the place.
Walking in the door of Collier's (the owner's name) Drug Store was, to me at that age, like walking into a small wonderland. There was a long counter with stools (fixed to the floor) on the right hand side and on the left there was shelves filled with cosmetics, creams, perfumes, etc. etc. etc.
Walking farther into the store, they led me to a booth where we took a seat and a lady came and asked us what we wanted. Mother and her friend ordered whatever they wanted then looked at me and asked what I wanted.
I had no idea what to say because I had never experienced such a strange place before. Mother took pity on me and ordered an Ice Cream Soda.
Okay, I knew "soda" could mean a soda water, which in turn could mean a root beer, or any other type of drink in a bottle to drink. (Was too young to worry about adult drinks at the time.) But I had no idea what an ice cream soda would be.
A tall fluted glass was sit in front of me filled with ice cream and something bubbly. Frothy, almost clear bubbles crowned the top of the glass and threatened to spill over they were so tall.
I took a hesitant taste with the long handled spoon and was swept into childish taste rapture.
That was my introduction to a drug store, one that drew me back at every opportunity.
Over time I also found Collier's sold much more than I saw that day. There was books, magazines, comics, a display of several candies and much more if you took the time to really look.
In one back corner a high counter swept around in a semi-circle creating the area where Mr. Collier reigned. From there he processed and sold the meds. ordered by the doctors.
Later, when I was about 11 or 12, Mr. Collier let me put what was to be my first camera on lay-away. A small Kodak camera that I paid off a little at a time over what, at the time, felt like ages.