“A Big Surprise Coming Your Way… Watch Closely Our Announcements.”
The Wonder Store at 304 N. Second Street, Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, opened after a great amount of publicity on October 31, 1906, and immediately was touted as the “largest and most up-to-date department store between Harrisburg and Pottsville.”
From the Lykens Standard, November 9, 1906:
GRAND OPENING OF THE WONDER STORE
For several weeks previous to the opening of A. A. Rudisill’s enlarged store on October 31st [1906], which he has very appropriately named The Wonder Store, our citizens were notified of the event through the columns of the Standard and given an idea of the proportions of this large mercantile establishment, and the various new lines of goods added; but when they went there on the opening day, they were almost struck dumb with astonishment, for they realized that the half had not been told. Although the weather was unfavorable, rain having fallen throughout the entire day, nearly 1,500 visitors called and were ushered through the various department, making purchases here and there, keeping the large force of clerks busy from the opening to the closing hour, and perhaps it was fortunate that the weather was unfavorable, as a larger crowd could not have been given the proper attention.
Considerable interest centered in the coffee demonstrating department under the management of Mr. Weller, introducing the Woolson Spice Company’s celebrated Sabo Blend. Every purchase of a pound of this coffee was entitled to a guess at the amount of sum of money in a jar. 122 pounds of coffee were sold – more, Mr. Weller says, than was ever sold by him in a one day’s demonstration in this State. The amount of money in the jar was $19.05. For the first two correct guesses or nearest to it a prize of five pounds of coffee was offered; for the next nearest, three pounds; and the next two, two pounds each. C. M. Coles and David Rudisill each guessed the exact amount and were awarded five pounds each; Mrs. John Davey‘s guess was $19 and she received three pounds; D. Rudisill guessed $1.15, and George F. Smith $18.95, and each received two pounds.
Another attraction was the fountain on the first floor containing hundreds of frisky, rapidly darting goldfish. Here the little folks held high glee while their parents continued the inspection of the various departments, returning with armsful of rare bargains. It was a great day in the mercantile history of Lykens, surpassing any similar event ever attempted here before, and reflects credit upon Mr. Rudisill, who a few years ago began business in a small room and today enjoys the distinction of having the largest and most up-to-date department store between Harrisburg and Pottsville. If you failed to get there on the opening day, call at your earliest convenience. The visit will prove both delightful and profitable.
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