New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
ApJTNCT,S TO THE DRUG STORE
THE GROWING LIST OF IT'S GENERAL
UTILITY FUNCTIONS.

The name drug store" or "pharmacv' entirely
fails at present 10 give any adequate idea OF the
tablishment thus designated. drug store. besides
being as its title would indicate. place where one
may buy drugs. is also place where one may BUY
so many other things that, in its general utility
functions. IL resembles the O1-fashioned country
store Soap, perfumery brushes, stationery, candy.
cigars and soda water have long held their places
beside the rows of bottles which. with their I'M
Pleasant but necessary contents were doubtless once
regarded the only legitimate drugstore stock.
Later came the post-offce supplies, and since they
were introduced the drug clerks have been kept
busy selling two-cent stamps and postal cards the
rate of profit on which, 1t may be assumed, will
never greatly enrich the propretors IL l. true that
I'm some instances the drugstore i made a regular
branch pos; office. in which case monthly salary Is
paid TO the owner But this Is so small that many
druggists prefer to be entirely independent and 10
keep the supplies only oblige their customers
Then have responsibility said one re-
Gently "and II we happen TO be out of stamps, we
don't feel as II we had committed a capital crime"
The use OF the directory Is another convenience
offered gratis TO the public and il l. which in
wolves more wear and tear on the store property in
the course of the year than would be readily mag
ne1 In this weather not the least Of the dscom-
forts attending it fer those within the store is the
frequent opening of the door and the consequent,
admission OF a wntry blast which sends shivers up
and down the spine of each individual clerk
The telephone pay-staton is the last Introduction
all swell the drug stores list of convenences
IL Is in connection with his that one uptown phar-
macy in this city has begun messenger service
which is unique. and which, il 1t should become
widespread might be rival worthy the consdera-
ton of the American District Telegraph Company.
The In question sent out, not long ago 10
those of its regular patrons living within radius
of - blocks a circular advertising It's new dis
trict telephone service" This, being explained.
meant that any telephone messages which might
arrive at that station for any of the above-men-
toned patrons would be delivered Immediately AT
the respective houses at the extremely moderate
tariff OF FIVE cents each The plan was at once re-
celvcd with much favor. and now forms a recog-
nized and important branch OF the stores business
Most of those who use II men who desire TO send
some message from downtown to their families
Sometimes is to give an excuse for their non-ap
pearance at dinner account OF an important
evening engagement Again. IL Is 10 announce their
intention of bringing home friends 10 dinner. and
thus to give "A highly appreciated warning TO the
mistress OF the house The promptness with which
such a message IL delivered commends the plan as
s,Iperior TO any other Five minutes perhaps. spent
in taking and writing out the words, and five more
in the boys trip to the house. are all the time re-
nured II Is not practicable. says the proprietor OF
the store to deliver messages more than six OF
seven avenue blocks away. on account or the value
NJ no time. TIC meet the wants or It's