It's
Halloween all year 'round
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| CAROLYN SEAGRAVES, Times
Correspondent |
October 23,
2000 |
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NORWOOD -- It’s Halloween time, and stores have stocked their shelves
with Halloween merchandise. But at the Davis Trading Post, Halloween is more
than a seasonal holiday.
Owners and siblings David, Jamie, and Debbie Davis,
know how to celebrate Halloween, and their store reflects
it. |
They stock
more than 5,000 Halloween items, including 600 masks and 300 different wigs.Any
ghoul or goblin is bound to find the perfect prop for their Halloween attire.
The Davis family has been operating a store in Norwood since 1934.
The Davis’ grandfather, H. Tracy Davis, originally opened a pharmacy
which his son, Mint Davis, eventually took over. After a fire in 1955, the shop
was moved to a new location across the street from the old store on Winona
Avenue.
In 1965, the current store was opened and named Davis Trading
Post. According to David Davis, the name was selected to reflect the history of
the Winona Indians, who once inhabited the area. Throughout the years, the shop
underwent many transformations.
Today, the prescription drugs are gone
but are replaced by convenience-store items, school supplies, magazines,
newspapers, lottery tickets, greeting cards, holiday decorations, and the
costume boutique. The costume boutique was started by David Davis.
He
has a passion for Halloween.
"I love Halloween. I’ve been having
Halloween parties at my house each year since 1972," he said.
Initially,
he started the costume boutique with a few Halloween items. Davis continued to
add merchandise every year and his store’s selection keeps growing each season.
"I’m just crazy into it (Halloween).It’s a fun holiday," said Davis.
Davis’ brother, sister, wife, and employees all participate in the
Halloween fun at the store.They all started wearing costumes to work Friday,
Oct.13, and will continue dressing up every day until next month.
The
entire store is transformed into a Halloween experience.Many people come into
the Trading Post just to look around and check out the creepy and crazy items.
"We scare some kids, but most of the kids like it," said Davis.
When Halloween is over and other stores pack up their merchandise, Davis
Trading Post continues to sell costumes and props.
Davis said there are
very few places to go for costumes and masks after Halloween. Customers come
from all over to buy costumes for school projects, theater productions, or theme
parties.
"Our every-day merchandise is bought pretty much by local
people, but the costumes are unique and people come from all over to buy them,"
Davis explained.
For locals who frequent the Trading Post, Davis and his
brother and sister are familiar faces.All have worked in the store since they
were kids.
The tradition continues, and the Davis family is grooming the
next generation.David Davis’ children Minter and Connor help out at the store
along with their cousins Jamie and Amber.
The kids also lend a hand at
the Davis Trading Post store located on Chester Pike in Ridley Park. The family
opened this store, a smaller version of the Norwood shop, in 1980.
While
growing up in Glenolden, Davis knew his career path was set.He said,"I always
wanted to stay with it (the store).I started working here when I was 10 years
old."
Davis Trading Post is open from 6 a.m. to midnight every day of
the year.This demanding schedule doesn’t allow Davis a lot of free time, but he
takes the long workdays in stride.
"I’ve always worked these crazy hours
and I wouldn’t know any different," he said.
At a glance Name: Davis Trading Post
Address: 1 W. Winona Ave, Norwood, PA 19074
Phone: (610) 461-9712
Established: 1934
Product/service: old fashion general store with large
Halloween department
Hours: Open everyday 6 a.m. to midnight
Owners: David, Jamie, and Debbie Davis
Number of employees: 13
Web site: www.davistradingpost.com
Faces Behind Places is a weekly look at established Delaware County
businesses. It is not an endorsement of products or services.
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| ©The Daily
Times 2000
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©2000 - 2012 Davis Trading Post, Inc. Winona Avenue
Norwood, PA 19074 (610) 461-9712
To place an order: Orders@DavisTradingPost.com
Inquire about an order: CustomerService@DavisTradingPost.com
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