By DEANNA PAWLOWSKI/Daily Sun Staff

Beaton Pharmacy is the place to find those special Leanin' Tree cards for all occasions, which were pictured in last week's mystery item photo.

Bud Coursey and Steve Brown are partners at Beaton Pharmacy, and have been since 1986. Brown is the former owner of Patterson's Pharmacy, and Coursey had owned Bowden's Pharmacy for years, prior to "partnering up" in 1986.

"We both got tired of working six days a week," Brown said.

The building, which is located at 100 North Beaton, is owned by Coursey, and has a rich history in downtown Corsicana. At one point, the building housed a bank, which accounts for the marble floors hidden under the carpet, and the ornately carved ceiling, which is hidden from view by a lowered ceiling.

In the 1950s and 1960s, it was home to McAdams Pharmacy, and California Girl was housed there in the 1970s.

Coursey was the pioneer in the face-lift for the outside of historic buildings movement, putting their store through a rigorous overhaul in late 2000, early 2001. The entrance was rebuilt, windows replaced, brick work repaired, and awnings added. The result was so wonderful, that many building owners have since followed suit.

The bulk of the business at Beaton Pharmacy is prescriptions. Brown said they accept all major insurance cards, service many nursing homes, have free at-home delivery service, and offer personalized service to their customers.

"It is a family business -- our children have worked here, our wives still fill in sometimes," Brown said. "Many of our customers have been with us for 35 years. We're dealing with second generation customers now."

Debbie Blue, who has been with Brown since the Patterson's days, said they offer a wide variety of gift items. Nice leaded crystal, unique frames, lamps, some designer perfumes, and the Leanin Tree cards are among the selections.

"We also have Blue Willow. We have people come from the Dallas area just for our Blue Willow collection," Blue said.

Brown put it this way; "Bud and I both grew up in small towns -- we dealt with people we knew, and that is the way we run this business.

"It's old-fashioned, personal service. There is no answering machine to pick up the phone here. We have up-to-date technology, but old-fashioned service."

Stop by Beaton Pharmacy, 100 North Beaton or call them at (903) 874-8257 today.

Deanna Pawlowski may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]