1895 view of the 710-12 Market Street building. Click to enlarge.
photo by courtesy of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Library
The second of a three-part series on the 700 block of Market Street takes us a few doors north to the 710-12 address. Many of us remember this old building as the home of a drug store, either Eckerd’s or, more recently, Fountain Drugs. Over the years, a few other retailers have opened the doors to customers at this location, too.
T.A. SNOW STOVES
In 1873, twenty-three year old Thomas A. Snow came to Chattanooga from his native Davidson County. He opened a business with William C. Ashley at 202 Market Street near the river. Their products included stoves, tinware, and other household furnishings.
By 1888, Mr. Snow was apparently in business for himself, and had moved to 710 Market Street. I could not find an exact date of construction for the present building at that address. However, the 1895 book, “Art Work of Hamilton County,” clearly shows the present building in a photo. A seed store operated by Cleophas A. Moross occupied the 712 Market side of the building.
A January 1, 1891 Chattanooga Times ad for T.A. Snow notes that his business had “Useful Presents!” with coal vases, fancy coal hods (a bucket for carrying ashes), fires sets, and toy stoves. His signature product was the Southern Queen range, which was made locally.
Thomas Snow passed away in 1910. His obituary noted that as a member of the Knights Templar lodge, he “was a bright exemplar of the virtues of the order in his daily walk and conversation.”
F.W. WOOLWORTH’S
After the death of T.A. Snow, the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company used the 710 portion of the building for an office and storeroom for a few years. The 712 side was occupied by the Alhambra motion picture theater. Then, in 1916, plans were announced for the first F.W. Woolworth’s five-and-ten-cent store in Chattanooga. The retailer moved into the 710-12 Market Street building in 1917.
Woolworth’s was always a destination that moms would promise their children to visit “if you’ll be good while I shop.” With a large toy department and low prices, it was a winner for all concerned.
In 1939, some old buildings on the west side of Market Street were torn down to make way for a new, larger F.W. Woolworth’s store. The store remained open during many years of changes in retailing, but eventually closed in 1993 to the disappointment of many downtown workers.
The Woolworth building was subsequently remodeled beyond recognition of its former business. However, a trace of Woolworth’s remains at the 710-12 Market building. On the north side, near the top of the building, is a faded painted sign for Woolworth’s.
ECKERD’S DRUG STORE
Between 1939 and 1965, several retailers in succession maintained an address at 710 or 712 Market Street. In 1940, the Darling Shop, a ladies sportswear business, and Lane Drugs divided the building. By 1950, Kalman’s sportswear and Delson Shoes were there in what could be considered the last golden years of downtown retailing prior to shopping malls.
In order to compete with the new look of suburban centers, several downtown retailers attempted to mask their old buildings with new facades. The 710-12 Market building gained a rather curious blend of old and new. By 1960, when the Holly store and Delson Shoes divided first-floor space, a panel reading “Holly” went three-quarters up the 710 side, while the sign for Delson Shoes covered the lower half of the 712 address. The masonry front of the top floor was still exposed, as were two arched windows above Delson’s.
In 1965, Eckerd Drug Stores announced plans to open a store at 710-12 Market. In order to create an appearance of old corner drug stores, Eckerd had the facades of Holly and Delson removed. However, they covered the arched windows with blue and white striped canvas, and attached large lighted letters “ECKERD DRUGS” above the first floor. Again, this was a curious blend of old and new designs.
Like other downtown retailers, Eckerd’s had a lunch counter, which they called the “Cup and Saucer.” Carnivorous customers could dine on meats of veal, sirloin, pork chops, fried chicken, fish, and hot dogs in daily specials during the week of December 3, 1965.
The same advertisement listed a half-gallon of Kay’s Neapolitan Ice Cream for 48 cents, and a Brownie movie projector for $41.88. As it was the Christmas season, an 18-inch molded plastic Santa face could be had for 99 cents, or a tie for Dad could be purchased for 88 cents.
Eckerd’s was a favorite at lunch, when many downtown workers would stop by for a last-minute birthday card, a much-needed cold/sore throat remedy, or a bag of orange slices to get through the afternoon. (O.K., it’s going to be a long afternoon – let’s buy some chocolate-covered raisins, too).
Eckerd’s kept its downtown location until the 1990’s. Hoping to appeal to a new wave of downtown residents, Fountain Drugs opened for a short while at the address.
The 710-12 building has been vacant since Fountain Drugs closed. Compared to its neighbors, the structure is arguably the most ornate of the group, and will hopefully soon attract the eye of someone who could do a thorough historic renovation.
If you have information on Thomas A. Snow, the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company, or Alhambra Theater, or you remember F.W. Woolworth’s (at the 710-12 location), Eckerd’s, or any of the other retailers, please send me an e-mail at jolleyh@signaldata.net.
The beautiful masonry of the 710-12 Market Street building today is obscured by tall trees. Click to enlarge.
photo by Harmon Jolley