Modernizing on Madison
60 years ago:
Getting ready for the second annual village-wide “Clean Up, Paint Up and Fix Up” event in the village, the Review celebrated the “modernization” of businesses in Forest Park.
“One of the great additions to the Forest Park scene over the past few months has been the renovation of the business block at Madison and Circle, with Rierson Drug Store showing a new face. Also showing well is one of Forest Park’s old landmarks, the Circle Food Mart, with its complete renovation to make it one of the stores of the future. Schmidt’s Coffee Shop and Bakery is an eye-catcher with its modern front and interior and fresh pastry and coffee shop for shoppers along Madison.”
In 1965, Rierson Pharmacy was one of three independent pharmacies on Madison Street. Golden Drug & Liquor was right at the corner of Harlem and Madison (now USA Liquors, 7200 Madison), and Pearce Pharmacy was at the corner of Beloit and Madison (now Epic clothing at 7446). On the south side of town, Ungers Pharmacy changed hands to N.M. Miller Pharmacy this year at Elgin and Roosevelt (now R. Eck & Sons, 7221 Roosevelt).
Jill Wagner