THERE has been a drugstore on the SW corner of Queens Boulevard and 55th Avenue in Elmhurst since 1921, which was when Queens Boulevard (formerly Hoffman Boulevard in this stretch) was expanding into its present 10-lane behemoth. This black and gold sign (my favorite color combination) hasn’t been there that long, but the hand-lettered sign has been present for many years, long enough to list an old-school telephone number complete with initial letters, IL for ILlinois. The present phone number, 718) 457-3192, is the same. Also seen is the traditional drugstore symbol, the vessel with the pestle, used for mixing ingredients. “Box candy” and film are also listed; I doubt Frost still carries the latter, though some CVS branches still offer film development.
It’s possible the Frost family owned the drugstore in 1940 but as this tax photo shows. it was a branch of Whelan Drugs in 1940. The company was founded by George and Charles Whelan in 1905; the family also founded the formerly ubiquitous United Cigars. The Depression forced the brothers out of the drugstore and cigar business, but the Whelan brand limped on into the 1970s. A family member published this complete account of the Whelan empire.
As is often the case today, the window display featured anything but medical supplies, and the needs of smokers were well attended to, which I always found incongruous, but in 1940 the effects of smoking on health were not yet completely known.
Check out the ForgottenBook (HarperCollins, 2006), as well as Forgotten Queens (Arcadia, 2013). I also have a chapter in the anthology “New York Calling: From Blackout to Bloomberg” (Reaktion, 2007). As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
10/2/26