In 1886, Arthur Weise proclaimed that Troy was home to about 37 places where drugs and medicines were sold. Among them, he gushed about the establishment of Alexander M. Knowlson at 350 Broadway.
“He possesses one of the most attractive drug, medicine and prescription stores in the city. Spacious, well-lighted, tastefully furnished, it presents those admirable features comporting with the business which he has so long and successfully conducted. His first predecessor, Charles Heimstreet, began it at No. 10 State Street, in January, 1836.”
Weise goes on through several ownerships and locations; Knowlson bought the business at 1 First Street in 1864 and moved to Broadway in 1871.
“Besides having all the conveniences of a judiciously arranged pharmaceutical establishment, the store contains a large and expensive stock of drugs and medicines. Knowlson’s 4711 cologne, tooth-wash, aromatic dentifrice, glycerine jelly, quinine hair-tonic, and other special toilet preparations sustain the high commendation bestowed upon them. In the prescription department the best and finest drugs are used, and the compounding of them is done only by registered pharmacists.
In the manufacture of butter of cocoa suppositories by the cold process, which secures an equal distribution of the medicinal ingredients, Knowlson’s patent suppository machine is used. Being equal in weight and uniform in shape, the Knowlson suppositories are superior to those differently made. The mineral waters of Saratoga can be obtained on draught at the store in the natural condition in which they were taken from the different springs, being hydrostatically drawn from block-tin lined barrels by an automatic apparatus devised by Prof. D.M. Greene of Troy.
A.M. Knowlson also has for sale an exceedingly large collection of choice and rare roses and other cut flowers from numerous green houses in the vicinity of Troy and New York City. His command of any number or kind of flowers is almost unlimited, and persons desiring any for weddings, receptions, dinners or other entertainments, can obtain them at short notice by leaving orders at the store or by transmitting them by telephone. Bouquets and floral designs are made by an artist specially employed by him for such work.”
The building is long gone, on the Broadway side of the Uncle Sam Atrium. Several across-the-street neighbors of similar style remain, however.