Last WordAlumni EssayFoss’ Doors Close—An Era EndsAfter 103 years serving the Colorado School of Mines andGolden communities, Foss Drug closed its doors for the lasttime on Friday, August 24. Linked <strong>to</strong> Mines like no otherGolden establishment, Foss Drug conjures memories for almostevery Miner. Through an email sent out in July, Minesmagazine invited alumni <strong>to</strong> share some personal memories ofFoss. If you would like <strong>to</strong> add your memories <strong>to</strong> those below,send them <strong>to</strong> magazine@mines.edu for us <strong>to</strong> add <strong>to</strong> thewebsite version of this article.Foss timeline courtesy Rocky Mountain <strong>New</strong>s1903: E.L. Gallinger and Fred M. Root open the Gallinger-Root Drug Co. at 1219Washing<strong>to</strong>n Ave. in Golden.1913: Henry J. Foss buys the s<strong>to</strong>re and renames it Foss Drug1918: Foss dies in the flu pandemic. His wife, Dorothy, assumes management ofthe s<strong>to</strong>re.1920s: Foss opens a chocolate fac<strong>to</strong>ry and ice cream soda shop, using excessbutterfat that the Adolph Coors Co. generates after it s<strong>to</strong>ps making beer andswitches <strong>to</strong> malted milk during Prohibition.1937: Dorothy hands management of the s<strong>to</strong>re over <strong>to</strong> her son, Frederick Allen“Heinie” Foss, who has just received his pharmacy license.1941: The s<strong>to</strong>re expands for a second time and renovates for a more art decoappearance, including a red neon sign.1951: Foss annexes the whole building at 1224 Washing<strong>to</strong>n Ave., tripling thes<strong>to</strong>re’s size.1961: The lunch counter is upgraded <strong>to</strong> a full restaurant, the Carriage Room.1982: Heinie turns 65 and cuts back <strong>to</strong> part time. Bob Lowry is hired aspharmacist and later becomes president and majority owner.2001: The restaurant, which had become the Golden Ram, closes.2007: Foss Drug closes, although liquor sales continue.44 Fall 2007I learned <strong>to</strong> drink coffee at FossDrug. I found it a nice supplement<strong>to</strong> No-Doze for ‘all-nighters’ anda boost for ‘mornings/mourningsafter.—Art Petersen ’64Foss Drug was our Sundaymorning breakfast meetingground. We partied Friday andSaturday and had <strong>to</strong> face up <strong>to</strong> theobligation of hard study on Sunday.We would gather for breakfastabout 10:00 am and, after an houror so, go hit the books. Heinie wasa great supporter of Mines fromBurros on up and catered <strong>to</strong> usstudents whether it was clothes,supplies or booze. What a passingin his<strong>to</strong>ry that the s<strong>to</strong>re will finallyclose! Just like the passing of theNugget!!!—Jim Classen ’57My wife, Elva Jean McNeely,worked for Foss Drug 1948–1949as a waitress. If it had not beenfor her employment there as anuntrained but desperate wife ofa hard-up Miner with two youngchildren, we might have had <strong>to</strong>drop out of school.—Wayne McNeely ’51We used <strong>to</strong> buy a keg of Coorsevery Wednesday in the alley anddrag it up the hill on a dolly <strong>to</strong> 80714th Street for poker night!—Dave Wilson ’84Back in 1942, my dog Rex, acollie mix, lived with me at theBeta Barn and would follow meor other Betas <strong>to</strong> class. The SigAlphs had a big St. Bernard whowould follow them around. Rexwas fast and agile. The St Bernardwas not. Rex figured out that hecould harass the St Bernard, butthe St Bernard could not retaliate.One day when we were comingout of Foss Drug we met a coupleof Sig Alphs and the St. Bernard,who promptly <strong>to</strong>ok after Rex. Rexretreated in<strong>to</strong> the s<strong>to</strong>re with thebig bruiser right on his tail. Rexdid a quick 180 around a counterand out the door. The St Bernarddid not make the corner and slidin<strong>to</strong> another counter upsettingit and spreading merchandisefar and wide. From then on, andperhaps forever after, there was asign on the front door: “NO DOGSALLOWED”—Jim (Woody) Woodruff ’48From 1987–1991 mygrandfather and I would meet atFoss almost every Sunday morningfor breakfast. They had the bestchicken fried steak ever!—James Ruble ’91A coffee table in the Ramwas reserved in the morning byMr. Foss for a group of locals,including the Fleming andCo. lawyers, Tom Plummer, aprofessor, my classmate DaveCoolbaugh, and others. I crowdedmy way in <strong>to</strong> join the group. Whenthe Ram closed, the group moved<strong>to</strong> the 13th St. Bakery, where somemembers still meet. Mr. Foss rarelyshows up, but when he does, healways has a friendly greeting.—Roland B. Fischer ’42
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