The Former Ridlon Drugstore Building in Kezar Falls

 Our focus this time is the former Ridlon Drugstore Building which has been at the center of Kezar Falls on the Porter side of the bridge since 1922.  

This building at #1 Bridge Street still stands between the former barber shop building that we featured last time and the bridge in Kezar Falls village.  Myron Ridlon purchased this property in 1922 and erected a two-story building with an apartment above.  In 1923 he relocated his pharmacy here after 13 years of business on nearby River Street and upgraded the store many times over the years. He not only dispensed prescriptions and over the counter medicines, but had a soda fountain counter, sold ice cream and had a few tables for the comfort of his patrons.  As drug stores do today, he also sold magazines, comic books, personal items, etc. and one could pick up a small gift if needed.  This was a popular drop-in spot for local residents, not just for medicines.  He carried on his business for 43 years.

This view of Ridlon’s Drug Store shows it as it looked circa 1925. The fountain on the left was removed when the triangle park was created in 1927.  On the right, the mill can be seen across the river. In this photo taken by George French circa. 1940, the drug store is on the right looking up Bridge St. from the bridge.

In this photo taken by George French circa. 1940, the drug store is on the right looking up Bridge St. from the bridge.

This interior view of the pharmacy with Myron Ridlon - druggist and Iva Cutting - clerk, is exactly as I remember it growing up here in the 1940’s and 1950’s.

The pharmacy never reopened after Myron’s passing November 29, 1966, but his nephew, Myron Locke, ran a variety store, soda fountain and snack bar here from 1967 to 1977.   Since then, there have been several small stores including a bakery and fabric shop. An addition was built with large windows facing the river for a beauty shop and there continued to be apartments on the second floor.  Most recently the building has had major renovations top to bottom making it entirely into what appears to be six apartments. 

This building is not quite as old as the previous buildings we have featured, but nevertheless, we are pleased to see it continues in the center of our little town.