Drug stores have been a recurring topic on this blog, from Mom and Pop establishments like Whalen Drugs, to small regional chains such as Muir’s. There have also been a few posts devoted to other local favorites, including Kutza’s Pharmacy and National Pharmacy.
Well, here’s a post about my favorite Drug Store chain: namely, Discount Drug Mart. Why is it my favorite? Probably because it’s Northern Ohio-based, and there’s always been one nearby, wherever I’ve lived. (I probably live about one minute from the one in Vermilion.)
Anyway, fifty years ago this month, the Discount Drug Mart store in Amherst held its Grand Opening (at its original location on the east side of the highway), with a special appearance by Cleveland TV children’s show favorite, Captain Penny (former Elyrian Ron Penfound). The full-page ad below ran in the Journal on September 30, 1971.
It’s a fun ad to look at now, with some interesting products, such as the gone-but-not-forgotten Thomasson’s Potato Chips (made in Elyria); the Broxodent Deluxe Electric Toothbrush (the first electric toothbrush); Polaroid Color Pack 108 Film (there’s some on eBay right now); Boone’s Farm Strawberry Wine; Sealtest Milk; and Geritol.
One thing that we never questioned as kids was why he was called, “Captain” Penny. He was, after all, a train engineer. Fortunately, this series of clips from the WEWS-TV 50th Anniversary special (also featuring Jungle Larry and Mr. Jingeling) includes an explaination as to how Captain Penny got his name.
According to this Wiki entry, the Captain Penny show came to a close on September 4, 1971. So his Drug Mart appearance was probably one of many curtain calls.
I’m sure none of Captain Penny’s fans can ever forget his advice to kids at the closing of each show: “ You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t... fool... Mom.”
