Taking time to remember a downtown staple

A “Dicus Remembrance Day” was held at Dress 2 Impress resale shop at 117 E. Columbia St. during the Farmington Fall Festival over the weekend. The business was originally in the same space as Dress 2 Impress, so the reunion gave visitors a chance to walk down memory lane.

Visions of Hope Founding Executive Director Luann Honerkamp said the reunion was special because people were coming and taking a walk down memory lane when they came through.

“Things like, ‘I remember when we would have ice cream, the frozen cokes and there was a gazebo here’,” said Honerkamp. “I can remember when my mom would shop next store at Dugal’s grocery store, and I would get to come next store to sit down and have a frozen coke.”

Honerkamp said people have been coming through telling their stories and sharing their memories with them.

“Chip (Peterson) brought us a (Dicus Drug) sign, which was in our basement,” said Honerkamp. “He had taken it back to his property when we moved in and he brought it back to us and said ‘why don’t we just have a day where we can have everyone come in to reminisce’. “

Honerkamp said a lot of people stopped in, including Carol Short and Suzanne Ross – the wife and daughter of the late Ron Short.

“They got some friends together and started an event on Facebook,” said Honerkamp. “They have really just taken off with it and they brought pictures to display.”

The Dicus Drug display is set up through the week for anyone who would like to stop and in and take a walk down memory lane.

Visions of Hope is a non-profit vocational program for people with autism. The building is owned by Chip and Debbie Peterson.

The couple said one of the things that drew them to purchase the location eight years ago was a personal connection – Debbie’s first job was at Dicus Drugs.

Suzanne Ross, at left, and Carole Short stop in to view the Dicus Drugs display at Dress 2 Impress resale shop during the Farmington Fall Festival. Short’s late husband, Ron, was the owner and pharmacist for a number of years. Short and her daughter helped gather photos for the display.

Visitors were able to take a walk through memory lane while viewing old photos of Dicus Drugs in downtown Farmington. The Dress 2 Impress shop now occupies that space. s.

Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or rbronaugh@dailyjournalonline.com