SPECIAL STORE: Anyone who has ever visited the Christmas Store
in Smethport can testify to its uniqueness. And we wouldn’t be
surprised if a reader or two doesn’t have a special story about the
story.[neWLine]

Word that the store is up for sale brought a note from Ross
Porter of Smethport about the historical significance of the store
itself, and an invitation for other readers to share their own
stories about the Christmas Store and Christmas
displays.[neWLine]

Ross tells us that while working on the book, “”Timeless Home:
Smethport, Pa.,”” he interviewed Morris Johnson and Cynthia
Johnson, children of Christmas Store founder Leonard Brynolf
Johnson.[neWLine]

He sends along the material gleaned from those interviews about
the origin of the store:[neWLine]

“”In 1932, Leonard Brynolf Johnson returned to his hometown of
Smethport and opened the Johnson Pharmacy in the Hamilton Building.
During the mid 1930s he began designing custom-made Christmas lawn
displays for his family and friends, which soon developed into a
nationally advertised enterprise in Better Homes and
Gardens.[neWLine]

“”Initially all displays were designed and created by Leonard.
In 1940, to keep pace with orders for his unique decorations, he
hired Clifford Gurnsey to paint the displays.[neWLine]

“”After first painting and assembling the units in the basement
of the pharmacy he moved his production operation to the second
floor of Quirk’s Ford Garage building (213-215 W.
Main).[neWLine]

“”Business was so successful that in 1949 it was necessary to
charter a United Airlines flight to meet delivery deadlines.
Leonard hired trained artist Herbert Johnson (no relation) to
further raise the quality and oversee the production
facility.[neWLine]

“”With the infusion of Herbert Johnson’s artistic abilities and
Leonard Johnson’s marketing skills the Smethport outdoor displays
became nationally known and the Christmas Store, a major American
tourist attraction.[neWLine]

“”Displays adorned Ozzie and Harriet Nelson’s home, Frank
Sinatra’s home, NATO Headquarters in Naples, Italy, and even
President’s Park near the White House. Smethport’s location on US
Route 6 and a national advertising campaign brought both Smethport
and the Christmas Store to national attention.””[neWLine]

Do you have a story or recollection about the store? If so, drop
us a line and we’ll share it with readers.[neWLine]

[neWLine]

TODAY’S QUOTE: “”Words are … the most powerful drug used by
mankind,”” said Rudyard Kipling, 1923.