Broadie's: Drugs, Paint, Wallpaper 1900-1950
The Broadie Building has stood on this corner of 122 East Bremer since 1900. It was constructed specifically for druggist A.A. Broadie's business, Broadie Bros. Before the new building's construction, the store was located diagonally across the street, and the drugstore has remained a reliable landmark in Waverly's history.
An Entrepreneurial Druggist Anchors Downtown Waverly
A. A. Broadie was a prolific and bright businessman and druggist living in Waverly at the turn of the 20th century. Well-known for his enterprise, he was named one of Waverly’s most prominent businessmen. He is thought to have created Vinol with the help of two French chemists, a “tonic for elderly people, children, and weak women” that was claimed to remedy most illnesses.
Made from an extract of cod liver oil and red wine, the mixture was reported to be more pleasant to consume than many available drugs.
The Broadie Drug building was the tallest in Waverly, built in a Classical Revival style that had symmetrical arched windows and stone belt courses. Broadie Drug's grand opening was on December 20, 1900, and the building included office space on the second floor and a meeting hall (still intact today) on the third floor.
Herbert H. Broadie, is pictured on the right side in the middle row and took over the family business after his father’s death, serving as a Druggist in Waverly for 64 years.
Mr. Broadie was remembered fondly after his passing in 1912, with the Waverly Democrat writing, “Al Broadie was ready to shoulder his share, and a little bit more, of the burden, and this he always did cheerfully.”
During the Renovation: 1955
In the 1950s, Broadie’s remained a reliable place where people could shop for everyday needs. In 1955, H.H. Broadie remodeled the store to make room for larger departments and a new look with the incorporation of “semi-self service.”
Broadie’s also expanded from exclusively selling pharmaceutical products to include hand cream, chocolate, and kitchen clocks: Broadie’s had something for everyone.
Broadie’s also expanded from exclusively selling pharmaceutical products to include hand cream, chocolate, and kitchen clocks: Broadie’s had something for everyone.
In the Spring of 1957, Harrison’s spread over to the space Broadie's Drugs occupied.
Renovations involved bashing down the brick divider wall to unite 122 and 120 Bremer, and elevating the base floor from the old Harrison building so it was level with the Broadie Building.
“It was a tough engineering job,” the Bremer County Independent wrote in 1957, “that was handled with dispatch by the local workman.”
All store clerks–one of them a member of the Broadie family, Robert–busily stocked shelves in time for the grand reopening. As the local news reported, they arranged all items in 15 departments: “candy, jewelry, [vinyl] records, stationary, cosmetics, housewares, household drapes and soft lines, toys, ready-to-wear and millinery, infants, lingerie, art goods, sewing notions, children’s, [sic] wear, and ladies accessories,” and added wheeled shopping carts and three checkout counters for a “supermarket touch.”
The grand opening was a three-day event and featured many sale items, including summer dresses ($3.88–normally $8.95); two pairs of Nylons (99¢); two bath towels (77¢); Kiddie’s tennis shoes ($1.55); two Chenille bedspreads ($4.88); and four pairs of “ladies’ panties” (88¢). As the Bremer County Independent reported, “Harrison’s new store and Infelt’s almost new one give Waverly two top-notch variety stores that are the envy of many towns in the state.”
I bought my matchbox toys there plus 10 cents worth of chocolate stars from the candy counter every week.
— Jim Hundley
I bought a blue parakeet at Harrison's either in the late 1950s or early 1960s. — Jane Downing Ernst
I bought my first Barbie doll at Harrisons in 1959 for $3.00 (which my brothers promptly ruined). There was no downstairs at that time. I loved walking the aisles and dream shopping.
— Kathy Lynn Huisman
Bought my 1st Aurora HO car racing set there in 1963 with money saved from my Waterloo Paper route. I’d also buy comic books and Revell model cars, airplanes and whaling ships. There were also Big Daddy Garlits dragster and funny cars models and Rat Fink models. I 1st met one of my close friends there, Mike Mattke (RIP) Mike worked there stocking shelves in the toy dept.
— Gary Anderson
I used to walk to Harrisons over my lunch period while in junior high to get comic books in the late-1960s. And I still have all of them!
— Jerry Harrington
Personal memory of Harrison's was when my older teen sister & her friend forgot me & left me in the basement looking at toys! They walked a couple blocks back to my aunts & then remembered "whoops, we forgot Mary"!!!
— Mary Dilger Porath
My brother, Jeff, and I used to go downstairs to ogle the model horses (me) and model cars (him). It was like a living wish list.
— Jane Thayer
My brother and I would walk to Harrisons and admire the toys in the basement. I especially loved the horses! We each got a 50 cent allowance and we would save our allowance money to go to Harrison's to buy a gift for our mom. I distinctly remember getting her a gold glass oil lamp at Harrison's. To make those memories even better, as an adult I owned and operated Photography by Christine, later known as Legacy Photography by Christine and Tasha, at that very location. This building holds a special place in my heart!
— Christine Shea Robbins
All kinds of treasures !!! Rabbits foot key chain for good luck, tootsie rolls and pop rocks, and candy cigarettes that even puffed powdered sugar!! You can’t get all that anymore
— Lizz White
I was allowed to go back into the stock room and check out the new toy arrivals before they were unpacked for the floor!
— Art Barnard
Stauffer's Pharmacy: 1973-1990
The building that was home to the first Stauffer’s Drug store was built in 1934, replacing the previously deteriorated wooden building. Stauffer’s stayed at 201 E. Bremer for almost 40 years before moving to Harrison’s previous location at 122 E. Bremer. In 1955, the building was remodeled to rebuild the store’s original corner entrance and incorporate a gift shop.
Like drug stores today, Stauffer’s sold more than prescriptions. “Sickroom Supplies” such as hospital beds were available to buy or rent, while customers could browse for belt massagers and rowing machines. A large Hallmark party and gift-wrapping section was available alongside cards, candy, clothes, and camera accessories.
Small Business Support
Stauffer’s partnered with local businesses, like The Card Cellar, allowing them to operate out of the store’s basement. Owned by brothers Chris and Brett Helmer in 1990, The Card Cellar bought and sold baseball, football, hockey, and baseball cards along with the proper supplies such as sleeves and collector plaques.
Always got my dad's Christmas gifts from Stauffers. Last one was an Avon cologne in a bottle shaped like a pheasant. He's never worn it, but that bottle still sits on his dresser
— Renee Owens
I just remember playing with the blood pressure machine while my folks waited for prescriptions at Stauffer's. (Late 80s/early 90s) It's how I know the words "systolic" and "diastolic".
— Lauri Pedersen
My mom (Rachel Backhaus Dolby) worked at the Pharmacy in the early 80’s…. I got head lice and had to have the prescription shampoo…. The pharmacist brought it up every time I went in there jokingly.
— Debi Dolby
As a tween and teen I’d get green rivers (7up and lime syrup) from the Stauffer soda fountain with my friends after school.
— Hollis Hemingway
A Living Legacy
For many people, these businesses bring back special memories, like visiting Harrison’s as kids or spending time at community events hosted by the stores. They also stand for the strength and unique character of Waverly by showcasing local traditions or special relationships you can’t find anywhere else. Losing these businesses can feel like losing part of what makes Waverly special, which is why sharing their history is so important.