STORE: Most longtime McKean County residents will remember “America’s First Christmas Store,” located at 101 W. Main St. in Smethport. Here is a story about how one man’s hobby became a part of Christmas history, creating many cherished memories.
Smethport native Leonard Brynolf Johnson, owner of Johnson Pharmacy, began making wooden Christmas displays for his own home as a hobby. His neighbors and others started taking notice and began making special requests. Johnson would fill prescriptions during the day and diligently construct and paint displays at night.
With orders increasing, Johnson expanded his displays to the building next to his pharmacy in 1935. Originally named “The Christmas Store,” his decorations began selling year-round, attracting buyers from several states away. He eventually hired artist Herbert W. Johnson (of no relation) to do most of the artwork due to the high demand.
Displays began to sell internationally and were featured in some high profile locations, including the lawns of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, Frank Sinatra and even the NATO headquarters in Naples, Italy. By the mid-1940s, the business expanded to include six workers and three sales representatives. Johnson owned the business until he sold it to Bob and Connie Lovell in 1980, one year before he passed away.
After researching the history of the Christmas industry, the Lovells renamed the store to “America’s First Christmas Store.” They expanded the inventory to include a wide variety of collectible items and created themed Christmas rooms. Though inventory was typically comprised of merchandise imported from the far east, the business still focused on selling unique, quality Christmas themed items year-round.
The Lovells sold the business to Greg and Dee Buchanan in 1998, where they increased the inventory even further, including new displays and 40 Christmas trees with different themes. In 2015, the Buchanans reluctantly closed the establishment because they wanted to spend more time with their then 12 year-old son.
The city hoped to keep the storefront the same until another buyer was found, though sadly this never happened. Since it’s closing, several other businesses have inhabited the building, most recently the Hubber Cafe.
To share your memories of America’s First Christmas Store, email erastaff.43@gmail.com or call 814-362-6531.
