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Marra's Drug Store

Marra's Drug Store - Secaucus

Marra's Drug Store

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Description of Marra's Drug Store

MARRA'S DRUG STORE is one of the most familiar landmarks in Secaucus. The patriarch of the family, the late Gerard A. Marra Sr., whose unselfish service to the community earned him the title "Mr. Secaucus", founded the pharmacy. Mr. Marra was born 1896 of Italian descent in the "Horseshoe" section of Jersey City. He began working in a pharmacy when he was 11 and by the age of 16 assisted in filling prescriptions. He sold newspapers in the old Pennsylvania Station to help pay his way through Rutgers College of Pharmacy. After graduation from College, he served in the U.S. army's medical corps in World War I. In 1923, Mr. Marra started the business when he moved from Jersey City to Secaucus at the suggestion of another old-timer and friend, Albert Buchmuller for whom Buchmuller Park was named. The first Marra's Drug Store was located at 1273 Paterson Plank Road. There he stayed until 1927, when he bought the corner property at 1285 Paterson Plank Road owned by the Niederer family, still in town, and containing the Hugerich Tavern and Hotel. Mr. Marra moved his pharmacy and soda fountain to the street - level of the building and he and his wife Ida went upstairs to occupy the living quarters. It was there the rest of the family was born and raised Michael III, Josephine, Gerard and Angelo. Michael and Gerard when on the become registered pharmacist and graduated from St. John's University. Angelo went on to manage the front of the business. During the formative years of the business, a visitor might have seen any number of current Secaucus politicos working in the store, including former Mayor Paul Amico, who operated the concessions stand; former Police Chief Nicholas Zaccario, a clerk and soda clerk; former Public Defender Frank Jones, former Board of Health President William Lillis and former School Board Secretary Ronald Temple, Former board of Ed President Eleanor Reinl, and many others. The late 1920's and early 1930's brought the depression and Mr. Marra kept the store open from 9am to midnight, seven days a week, but he wouldn't turn aside an emergency caller during the early morning hours either. He had a buzzer installed in front of the store so a person in need could get help anytime during the night by buzzing him out of bed.
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