Jermaine Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Ive passed this store a few times recently and never find it open. So I stopped there this afternoon and looked in the windows...it's something else. An old-style original counter and soda fountain, old-time shelves...I know it's all legit in age: the neon sign out front has got to date from the 40's. Whats weird and SO cool is that it looks like someone just left the store as is, many years ago. There are old products...greeting cards, mags, make-up, etc. still on the shelves. Looks like its been closed for many years. I went round back and checked the electricity meter, and the power is on. Looked inside and spotted a clock on the wall which was working. Again, its called Huston's Drugs and it's on Washington, just outside of downtown, across the street from Salvation Army. The neon sign outside appears to be broken but it's blue in color. ANY info on this place or who owns it would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 ANY info on this place or who owns it would be appreciated.Are you looking to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Julio Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Ive passed this store a few times recently and never find it open. So I stopped there this afternoon and looked in the windows...it's something else. An old-style original counter and soda fountain, old-time shelves...I know it's all legit in age: the neon sign out front has got to date from the 40's. Whats weird and SO cool is that it looks like someone just left the store as is, many years ago. There are old products...greeting cards, mags, make-up, etc. still on the shelves. Looks like its been closed for many years. I went round back and checked the electricity meter, and the power is on. Looked inside and spotted a clock on the wall which was working. Again, its called Huston's Drugs and it's on Washington, just outside of downtown, across the street from Salvation Army. The neon sign outside appears to be broken but it's blue in color. ANY info on this place or who owns it would be appreciated.It was still open when I lived in the neighborhood (1990....). I can't seem to recall if the fountain was still working at that time. I seem to remember that it closed not long afterwards, but, like you say, it was ambiguous, because everything was still in the store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan the Man Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 (edited) Per HCAD, the address is 2219 Washington Ave (SE Corner of Washington & Hemphill). Owner is Lois A Gantt & Trust, 3010 N Shepherd, Houston, TX 77018 since 1999 (they also own the property catty corner on Union). Building was built in 1954 (could be correct), approx. 2500 SF on a 4350 SF lot, property is valued at just under $210K. Taxes were just under $4300 last year, paid in full. I drive by this place all the time, but I never noticed all the stuff inside. I'll have to check it out on a bike. Edited April 22, 2009 by Dan the Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 The Gantt family has owned it for a long time - Lois Gantt died in September 2007, but the trust was set up almost ten years prior. Her children inherited the 3010 N Shepherd property (Thomas Jr. and Mary) - I assume they are the trustees of the Huston property. Guess they didn't want to/couldn't do anything with the old pharmacy.Edit - also looks like Lois Gantt inherited the Shepherd property from her family (Henson) in the mid-eighties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Here's a link to a lengthy 10/28/97 Chron article about the pharmacy ("Charm and cherry Cokes / Ever-present past, uncertain future for Huston's Pharmacy"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
margokorin Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 great article. going to stop by this place this afternoon. would love to know more about the "washington plunge" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Yes, thanks for posting the article - made me sad, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnu Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 This all sounds very similar to Park Place Pharmacy (across from Kelley's).The lunch counter still opens in the mornings and all the old regulars go hang out there to eat - as they have been for years.No new inventory in the store in ages and the pharmacy itself hasn't been open in years.Basically, the owner just opens it to cook breakfast for all her friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Here's a link to a lengthy 10/28/97 Chron article about the pharmacy ("Charm and cherry Cokes / Ever-present past, uncertain future for Huston's Pharmacy").Thanks for posting this article, I've looked into those windows multiple times and always wondered what happened. It definitely seems frozen in time. Kind of amazing with all the development along Washington Avenue that nothing has happened with this place yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specwriter Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 It definitely seems frozen in time.I have to comment. I lived on Joplin Street near the Park Place Pharmacy at one time and did go in occasionally to buy greeting cards and things like that. Our health insurance plan already dictated that we would have our prescriptions filled at Eckerd's. The owner, Mr. Harris, was also a neighbor of mine on Sims Drive in Garden Villas at a later time. I ate lunch at Huston's once in the mid-90's. Even then it seemed "frozen in time." I do remember that the hamburger I ordered tasted just like those I had at my grandfather's drug store.My father is a retired pharmacist and his father was a pharmacist also. My grandfather owned a classic "drug store" on Old Humble Road (now Jensen) which had a lunch counter and soda fountain. My first memories of anything are of time I spent at the drug store.Within a year of my grandfather's death in the mid-1960's my father sold the store as it were. He kept the property and rented the building to other interests but sold all the inventory and fixtures and went to work for one of the local chain pharmacies in Houston. He said he much preferred to have a steady pay check than to have his name on the front of the building. Considering the fate of most one-shop business of all types over the last forty or so years his decision seems to have been a wise one. Conversely, two of his classmates from pharmacy school had very successful stand-alone stores. One owned a drug store which had a lunch counter and sold all manner of sundries and gifts. The other owned three small apothecaries, i.e. sold only prescriptions, over-the-counter remedies and medical supplies.Maybe it is just as well I only went into Huston's the one time. The feeling of nostalgia when I was there was almost overwhelming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmic08 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I pass this place every day going to work and have always wondered about it. I am for sure going to stop by and take a peek inside the windows too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMME Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I pass this place every day going to work and have always wondered about it. I am for sure going to stop by and take a peek inside the windows too.There's going to be a line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 It's on my list of Washington Ave./OSW area places to document - well, the list is of that entire stretch of Washington, so it definitely won't be left out. I just need more hours in the day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jermaine Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Well, WOW.Im glad I asked about this place.Im from Houston, born and raised, and am back visiting from Colorado and took yesterday to just drive around the city and soak it in.Ill likely be away when one of you manages to get inside that store...please think of me when you do.The passing of time, people, and circumstance pains me greatly. These buildings should be remembered, humble as they are, with reverence.Lives happened there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Some quick photos from a few weeks ago: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmic08 Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 WOW - that place is FULL of stuff! I pass this place everyday, and the lights are always on inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specwriter Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 sevfiv's image of the interior reminds me so much of my grandfather's store it nearly makes me weep. Granddad's had about twice the area (4500 sq. ft.) but it was arranged almost exactly the same - pharmacy in the rear, lunch counter to the right, and sundries in front. Even the rows of fluorescent lighting was the same. Like I said, I went in Huston's once in the mid 90's and the nostalgia hit me like a ton of bricks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmic08 Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 I just drove down Washington and saw a lady taking pictures of the inside through the windows. Maybe a fellow Haifer and pics soon to be posted? Hope so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheeats Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) GOOD LORD, PEOPLE. That was me, cosmic08. And, yes, pics are coming shortly. ETA: I'm not old enough to be a lady. I feel like someone just called me "ma'am." Edited June 11, 2009 by sheeats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmic08 Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 GOOD LORD, PEOPLE.That was me, cosmic08. And, yes, pics are coming shortly. I'm sorry I'm sorry - haha - I just noticed someone taking pics and it caught my attention - knew it had to be a Haifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMME Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 GOOD LORD, PEOPLE.That was me, cosmic08. And, yes, pics are coming shortly. ETA: I'm not old enough to be a lady. I feel like someone just called me "ma'am." ewww...hate it when they call me maam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmic08 Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 I am SO sorry - I'm in my mid-20s and when I hear that, I feel the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheeats Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 I am SO sorry - I'm in my mid-20s and when I hear that, I feel the same way. Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 at least it wasn't sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheeats Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 at least it wasn't sir. Very true. And with that...pictures of Huston's Drugstore (inside and out): http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2009/...hat_time_fo.php I have more and will put them up on Flickr soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Great interior pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonzo1976 Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Good stuff. Kinda reminds me of the store at Cypress Top, without the lunch counter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston*Town Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Interesting reading. Got me to thinking and looked up the address of my father's store location. 4216 Washington Ave. It was built in 1910 according to HCAD. He bought/leased (actually not sure) the location after WWII. It was a grocery store and there was a drug store connected to it at the corner. The last time I went by there, it's still there. It's been several things ... I think a club/bar/jazz club. The parking lot next to it is still there and even the silver railing is still there where we parked. I remember leaving the store one night and someone tried to hold up my father for the night's receipts. The man had a knife. My mother carried the gun and she was so upset she couldn't use it. My father took the knife away from the "gentleman" and held him until the police came. After that, he kept the gun in his waistband. We always drove to Heights State Bank to make a night deposit before we went home. I was still in elementary school so for me it was scarey. Well, for mother too ....I need to go there and take pictures to save. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC2HTX Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 2119 Washington Ave- Word on the street is this spot just got leased out to a Pilates Studio. Lessor was asking for $6,300/month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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