The Somerset reporter., 1905-05-25
Bucknam's New Store.
Complete in Every Detail for the Retail
Drug and Stationers Trade.

~ohhPiete In Every Detail for the Retail
Drug and stationers Trade.
On Saturday last Frank W. Bucknam
commenced business at his new location
IN Hotel Oxford block, opening to the
public what Is undoubtedly the hand
soonest and best appointed drug store In
Maine, and indeed it is not likely that
any pharmacy In New England can be
said to be superior to it In the richness
of its furnishings or the excellence of
its arrangements.
1t will be recalled that Mr.. Bucknam
succeeded Bixby & Buck In business in
the Coburn hall block which was de-
stroyed by fire last December. He has
since been occupying temporary quar-.
ters near the shoe store of K. H. Merrill
& Son.
The store just opened is 60 feet deep
and u feet wide, and is entered between
two plate glass show windows, each 10
feet square, with mirrors on the side and
back for the display OF goods, and above
which are many ceiling lights that in
the evening rehec the contents OF these
windows in dazzle that will eclipse the
coon day sun.
The fl Dor is of imported tile such as is
used in the best OF city Offices but Is
seldom seen in so large an area as in the
present instance. The steel ceiling is of
tasty design, painted in green ana white,
and in the panels into which it is divided
are located profusion OF electric lights,
these being part of lighting system
divided into ten sections, all of which
may be used at once or either section
independently of the others.
There are 100 running feet of show
cases Of the "Silent Salesman variety,
these as well as the wall cases being
constructed of plate glass and solid ma
hogany, every modern device for con-
venieDce and rapid despatch of business
being included.
The prescription department is a
model of convenience and is fitted with
every appliance for neatly and accurate
ly carrying on every branch of this most
important work. Ii is located toward
the rear OF the store and is so arranged
as to be practically room by itself, on
the walls OF which are displayed the
large variety of drugs and medicines re-
quired by the prescription clerk. IL is
readily accessible from the other depart
ments and near 1t is loo tied the office of
the proprietor, which is fitted In keeping
with the rest of the establishment.
A new soda fountain occupies a posi-
tion at the right Of the entrance to the
store, and with its serving counter and
the refrigeratng compartments fur.
nishes every convenience for the soda
trade. IL is what is known as the Nm
novation" fountain and like everything
else in this model pharmacy, is the lat
est thing out il this line. The syrups
are drawn from a circular, revolving.
silver plated tank which is set on the
fountain counter and is 80 arranged that
two ounces Of syrup, no more and no
less, drop into the glass at each turn Of
the wrist of the operator.
The store is heated by steam from the
Hotel Oxford plant thus leaving the
basement unincumbered by boilers or
the storage of fuel.
To the rear Of the present store an
addition is now building which will con-
tain store room 20 by 30 feet, and q
reception room II by Is feet. In this
latter room will be displayed the wall
paper samples and it will also be fitted
as ladies' parlor and waiting room.
lt will contain desk and writing mate
rial and when completed will make
most convenient place for ladies of this
and surrounding towns TO wait the ar
rival or departure OF trains or to pass
any moments OF leisure that they may
have in an afternoons shopping. This
Is an innovation, so far as Skowhegan is
concerned, and we learn nothing will so
far convince Mr.. Bucknam that his new
store is appreciated, as to have this wait
ing room made use, of by the ladies of
the town and vicinity in keeping ap-
pointments with each other and other
wise for the purposes for which it is
intended.
Over two thousand people visited the
store on its opening day and, although
all generally expected to see something
particularly fine, the most of the visitors
were free to say that their highest ex-
pectations were surpassed. Mr.. Buck
nam is to be congratulated on the pro-
prietorship Of such an establishment and
the town on having such an addition to
its already large number of attractive
places of business.
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