Item

T. R. Wren, and Wren’s Drugstore

Pilot
Sept 14, 1882
Mr. T. R. Wren has removed his stock of drugs, patent medicines, etc., into the store in the Kennedy building, lately occupied by Capt. Balson, which as been fitted up to meet his requirements. The store presents a neat appearance, the goods are very tastefully arranged on the shelves and make a fine show, particularly when lighted up in the evening. Mr. Wren has a counter fitted up for the preparation of physicians prescriptions, in which the most scrupulous care is exercised.

Pilot
Jan 3, 1884
The thanks of the Publisher of the Bay Pilot are tendered to Mr. T. Rudolph Wren, Druggist for a Coca plug, a combination of tobacco, white barley leaf and the extract of genuine Bolivian Cocoa, which it is claimed counteracts the injurious effect on the system of the nicotine found in tobacco. We recommend it to all who chew the weed.

Beacon
May 11/1893
T. R. Wren has the newest “bike” in town. It is one of the Brantford pneumatics, and it’s a daisy.

Beacon
July 6/1893
Mrs T. R. Wren enjoys the distinction of introducing the first lady’s bicycle into St. Andrews.

Beacon
Sept 26/1901
Mr. T. R. Wren is about to add an acetylene gas plant to his store.

Beacon
Sept 18/1902
Wren’s Drug Store, Thomas Wren Proprietor
In no other department of our modern commercial system do skill, intelligence and experience become so essentially requisite to success as in that devoted to the handling of drugs, medicine and pharmaceutical preparations. Possessing these important qualifications the pharmacy conducted by Mr. Thomas R. Wren, and popularly known as Wren’s Drug store, has gained an excellent reputation, enjoying the favor and confidence of the medical fraternity and of the community at large. the premises occupied are large and conveniently arranged and are literally packed from floor to ceiling, the stock including not only drugs and medicines of every description, to photo supplies, office and fancy stationery, magazines, periodicals, books and novels by the most popular authors, toilet articles, fancy good, and without question the largest and best assortment of souvenirs to be found in town. The prescription department is well systemized and equipped, and is under Mr. Wren’s personal supervision. A specialty is made of compounding physicians’ prescription sand family recipes, while the charges made are moderate. Mr. Thomas r. Wren has been identified with the drug business in town about 20 years. He is a quiet, sensible business man, a public spirited citizen, and is held in high regard in social as well as in business circles. He has held many positions of public trust, among other that of councillor of the parish, secretary of the board of fire wards, member of the school board and the like. He is also a leader in secret society circles, being attached to the Masonic, Pythian and Forester bodies.

Beacon
Aug 23/1906
The finest set of photographic views of St. Andrews that has yet been issued by Messrs. Notman and Son, of Montreal. The photographs were taken this season and include the best bits of scenery about the town. The views may be seen at Wren’s Drug Store.
(The date on the back of these photographs is 1905)

St. Croix Courier
Aug 17/1939
Shiretown Items—A Perfume Bar! The Wren Drug Store has recently installed a Perfume Bar which adds much to an already attractive store. The entire structure is of glass, the back and sides consisting of colored mirrors. Although it cost a tidy sum, Mr. Rollins, manager of the store, thinks the increased sales from this more suitable and attractive display will make the investment well worthwhile.

St. Croix Courier
Jan 15, 1942
Shiretown Items
Hundred Thousand Mark
I was interested in looking over the first prescription file of the Wren Drug Store, established in 1881. It was located then in the Saunders building which was destroyed by fire about 1885. The Bank of Nova Scotia now occupies the same site. The business was established by r. R. Wren who continued as proprietor until his appointment as collector, when it was taken over by W. J. Rollins, the present owner. Most of the prescriptions of 1881 were signed either by S. T. Gove, Harry Gove or J. A. Wade, the practising physicians her at that time. Since that time close to one hundred thousand prescriptions have been filled at the counter and they are all there on file.

St. Croix Courier
Jan 29/1942
Shiretown Items
Correction
In a recent item I stated that Wren’s Drug Store started in the Saunders building and that this building was burned about 1885. The business started in what is still known as the Saunders building, the one now occupied by J. W. Ross, and later moved to the building that was burned on the site where the Bank of Nova Scotia now is situated.

St. Croix Courier
April 9, 1942
Shiretown Items
A Century in Business
Harold Stickney is quietly celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the business establishment now known as the “Stickney Wedgewood Store.” His father, George, F. Stickney, came here and started a jewelery and watch-making business in 1842. His first shop was in the building now owned by Wren’s Drug Store. When he married a local girl they moved into the building next door and carrying on the business in ship underneath. It was in this building that Harold was born. Mr. Stickney gradually introduced other liens and was the first dealer in St. Andrews to sell lamps and kerosene. Up to that time everybody “rolled their own,” chiefly from tallow—only the more well-to-do could afford wax candles. During the past few years Harold’s greatest ambition has been to stick it out for the centenary. He has now safely passed the mark and is going strong o the second hundred. His father was in business 48 years and Harold has been carrying on at the present stand for 52 years, which in truth is a long time. We extend heartiest congratulations and best wishes for the years go come.

St. Croix Courier
Aug 20/1942
Mrs. T. R. Wren entertained at dinner on Sunday at Sea-Side Inn.

St. Croix Courier
October 1/1942
Shiretown Items
A picture of Wren’s Drug Store with two small windows was of interest. It showed T. R. Wren and George Sharp his clerk standing in the doorway, and the first Algonquin Orchestra, which boarded with the lady upstairs, seated at leisure in front of the store.

St. Croix Courier
Aug 19/1943
Shiretown Items
Business on north side of Water Street between King and William in 1880.  In the corner building where Cockburn’s drug store is now situated was a residence occupied by G. F. Campbell.  Next to the shop now occupied by Cottage Craft was the post office.  The public stood on the sidewalk to receive their mail from a small wicket about 8 by 10 inches.  Richard Keay was office clerk.  In the shop now unoccupied was Mrs. Ingraham’s Candy Shop.  Next, where the Wren’s Drug Store now does business was Whitlock’s Hardware Store run by John Polleys.   The next building, now Hewitt’s restaurant, was Eddie Saunders’ Fruit and Candy.  Next to that was Thomas Milligan’s Candy, Schoolbooks and Stationery.  In the next to Mrs. Collins, with ? furnishings and woollen goods was Ms. Hanson’s Cobbling Shop with a small stock of boots and shoes.  Stickney’s Jewellery and Watch Repair came next.  The store is still in the family, being at present under the management of Walter Stickney with a stock of Wedgwood.  The next shop, now Mr. Dougherty’s Restaurant, was occupied by another Mrs. Ingraham, with a Confectionary, Cakes and Pastry.  The next shop, now Earl McCaughey’s Law Office, which was occupied in 1890 by Cockburn’s Drug Store, was not listed.  The store on the corner, now the Maritime Electric Headquarters, was a grocery store run by Barnum Campbell.  The only business places above William Street at the present time are McDowell’s Variety store on the corner; Hazen McDowell Barber next, and further uptown on the next block, McQuoid’s Service Station and Taxi Stand.  At the time of which my correspondent writes there were thirteen grog shops in St. Andrews, where a schooner of beer could be had for nickel, a glass of hard liquor for a dime, and a square-face of Holland gin for 60 cents. Now liquor is sold under government control, and because of war-time restrictions we are limited to 12 pints of beer per week, one quart of hard liquor per month, and one quart of wine per week.