SHAMOKIN - A new mural depicting a former drug store in Shamokin debuted in the downtown district Saturday morning.
A painting of Central Drug Store was installed in the frame of a window on the Eighth Street side of Varano Insurance Agency building, which fronts Independence Street.
The drug store was located in what is now Bressi and Martin Real Estate building, directly across the street from the mural. Artist Claude Harrington estimated that she worked 51 hours creating the painting that shows the storefront and several people on a sidewalk buying produce from a farmer.
Former owner Bob Yorwarth and his wife, Cathie, were on hand during the unveiling, which brought back found memories of the business that his father, Ben, opened in 1942. The store closed in 1988.
"This whole corner brings back memories," he said. "(The mural) is a great addition to Shamokin downtown."
After a few tweeks to the mural and photo opportunities, artists Matt Leavens and Jeffery Tweed attached the mural to the window frame. Leavens, Tweed and Harrington have been at the forefront of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities' Shamokin Mural Project.
The first mural, depicting several Shamokin namesakes, was completed in 2012 on the Bressi building; a second, depicting Edgewood Park, was completed earlier this summer on a service station at the corner of Independence and Market streets.
Jeanne Shaffer, executive director of the arts council, said the latest mural is protected by anti-graffiti material and will be illuminated. She added that another mural of a similar style will be added by the end of the year at the same location. However, she did not reveal what the subject of the latest mural will be.