Back on July 4th, I posted an old Lawson's newspaper ad dating back from 1962. Well, here's an even earlier one announcing that chain's first Lorain store.
It's surprising to me that the first Lorain store was located in the Westgate Shopping Center. I sort of assumed that Lawson's had always built their own stores, especially since you see dozens of the former outlets all over the place in Lorain County. Even my doctor's office is located in a former Lawson's store!
The ad above has a nice little message from J.J. Lawson, the founder of the chain. The ad also reminds me of why the chain was so great: it was centered around quality Lawson's dairy products and other branded items stocked for convenience.
I like the little illustration showing the well-stocked, spacious store with friendly workers and happy customers. I sure wish that scenario still existed today. I find it depressing – and dangerous – to go into just about any convenience store in Cleveland these days.