Posted from 09/30/06:
Your favorite gift shop, Thorson Drug in Akron, Iowa, is back and better than ever after a fire in the upstairs apartments resulted in smoke and water damage to the store and its contents.
To celebrate a year of being reopened after the fire, Thorson Drug is thanking its loyal customers with an Open House on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Events like fires seldom have happy endings," said Joyce Dreeszen, manager of the Thorson Drug gift shop. "But in this case, no one was hurt, and the fire was contained in the upstairs apartments. Because there was only smoke and water damage, the store could be renovated, and it allowed us to save the soul of the building. Thorson Drug has served the area since 1913 with good service, and we hope to continue to serve Akron for another 93 years."
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The renovation prompted the owner to have the gift shop restored as close as possible to the way it was in its early days.The contractor opened up the drop ceiling and restored the original tin ceiling, uncovered a terrazzo tile floor on the drug store side, and exposed original ceramic tile in the gift shop area, which was once a meat market. In addition, the contractor changed out the fluorescent lighting and put in vintage lighting, and replaced the windows for a more original appearance.
"It's charming how the past is recreated," Dreeszen said. "The old blends in with the new. We still have the antique displays including the bank teller station. After the fire, everyting was taken out. All the products in the store at the time went to salvage, and we had the fixtures cleaned."
A few of the antiques were damaged by water, but most are back in circulation again so that Thorson Drug can preserve its rich history. At the same time, the antique displays show customers firsthand how to do combination decorating by mixing and matching old and new home decor for the greatest effect.
"We're buying items with more meaning," she said. "We show that country and vintage decorating has a purpose and a place, and makes their house more inviting."
Dreeszen said the newly renovated gift shop offers something for everyone. It features distinct departments with a greater selection of kitchen, wildlife, baby, sports, inspirational and seasonal holiday merchandise, and better arranged displays.
"The store came to life again," she said. "With the changes, we can fit in more product. Our customers can touch, see and smell the merchandise. You can't do that online."
To keep the product lines fresh, Thorson Drug will continue its longstanding tradition of recreating the store frequently to reflect changes in time and season, and showcase new trends in colors, styles and materials, she said.
Currently, Thorson Drug has everything needed to decorate for Halloween, which is right around the corner. In addition, the gift shop has an extensive line of inspirational Terry Redlin artwork and snowmen (featured on the back counter to the old soda fountain), the new home fragrance collection by Thymes, braided rugs, lace roll-up shades, the latest Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, and two new candle lines: Bean Pod, which is manufactured in Iowa and made of 100 percent soy wax; and Tyler, a unique fragrance with fun names.
Shoppers will also find memorial frames, stepping stones and benches for their garden.
Many of the new products that Thorson Drug has added are a result of recommendations or requests from customers, she said.
"We have made lots of changes, because customer service is important to us. We listen to our customers' needs, and offer a lot of extras, such as free decorating tips and advice, gift certificates, a bridal wish list and registry, and a free gift bag with purchase.
Moreover, Thorson Drug will ship gift items via UPS, so they arrive at their destination in a timely manner.
If you haven't been to Thorson Drug in a while, you won't want to miss this special opportunity to attend their Open House next Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will have drawings and product promotions, and introduce new product lines.
Thorson Drug extends this invitation to all: "We invite you to step into Thorson Drug and be greeted by a cozy, warm feeling where the aroma of candles meets you at the door while soft piano music plays peacefully in the background. Please come and calm your spirit and refresh your soul."
Thorson Drug is located at 233 Reed St. in Akron, Iowa. Regular store hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (712) 568-2171.
