Iconic Irving Drug Store Reopens As Diner
IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - An iconic store in Irving closed this summer after decades in business. But the location came back on Monday with a whole new look, some serious upgrades, and a rush of people waiting to be among the first new customers.
The Big State Drug Store shut down in May. It was predominantly a pharmacy, but there was also a grill, a soda fountain and a few seats for diners to come in and grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink. However, the owner ran into some hard times. The pharmacy simply was not making money and the store was sold.
The final days at the drug store were sad. Many tears were shed by those who frequently visited the location, which first opened in 1948 and led to a lot of North Texas memories.
But the new owners, Irving natives Rick and Susan Fairless, did not want to see this piece of Irving history turned into something entirely different. So, they bought the location and spent a lot of money renovating the popular shop, making a few changes, and breathing new life into every inch of the store while maintaining the nostalgic feel of the 1950s and 1960s.
It is now called The Big State Fountain & Grill. The pharmacy is gone, but it has been replaced by a snow cone area and coffee shop. There is more seating and the kitchen area has been expanded. The new and improved store opened at 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning, and it was a packed house just 10 minutes later.
Bruce Burns was the first customer in line. He started waiting outside at midnight, because he has many fond memories of this shop. "When I was 12, 13 years old, I worked in Big State Drugs," the man recalled. "I worked in the fountain. I went to Bowie Junior High School and played football and, after football, I came up here to Big State Drug and worked for 25 cents an hour."
Most of the Monday morning customers were people who have been going to the shop for decades. They are relieved to see it open again after three months of closure.
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