Remembering Cedar Rapids Most Charming Drugstore

The May's Drug building, originally known as the New O'Hara Building, has been a Cedar Rapids staple since 1902. Built by railroad contractor William H. O'Hara as a savvy investment, it featured three storefronts on the ground floor. By 1903, it was home to the 20th Century House novelty store and C. Ilten's Queen meat market. The upper floor offered office and storage space, accessible via a staircase that practically screamed "vintage charm." 

May's shared space with some of the coolest

From 1903 to 1930, this building hosted some of Cedar Rapids' coolest businesses. Charles E. Fawcett and J.B. Terry, electrical supply trailblazers, set up shop here before lighting up other downtown spots. The Emerson-Hiltbrunner Music store, or as it became known, Hiltbrunner’s, got its start here. 

In 1931, May Drug Co. moved into the spot previously occupied by Hiltbrunner’s. It didn’t just settle in—it took over, doubling in size by 1935. With its May’s Tea Room and lunch counter, offering a Christmas dinner for a mere 49 cents in 1937, May’s became a local legend. And who could forget their ice cream in a one-quart brick? Slogans like "The original cut-rate drug store" and "Where spending is saving" added to its charm. They had me at cut-rate.   

By the 1950s, May’s Drug had sprawled across the entire two-story O'Hara Building. The first floor contained retail space, including an expanded lunch counter, while the second floor and basement were packed with storage. The basement even boasted a kitchen that sent food orders up via a vintage dumbwaiter! 

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May’s Drug kept up with the times, modernizing throughout the 1950s and 60s. But in 1967, a neighboring building demolition turned their façade into a temporary art project with bright red metal panels and a new "May’s Drug" sign—because nothing says “we’re still open” like a splash of red. 

May's saw a new name and continued success

In 1980, May’s Drug rebranded as Revco, keeping the tradition alive until 1990. The 1990s saw the space transform into Read Books, a popular used bookstore. By the time of the Flood of 2008, it had become Legends, a nightclub linked to University of Iowa basketball star Roy Marble. Since then, the building has been mostly idle—proof that even historic landmarks need a break every now and then. 

United Fire Group, the building's owners, removed the 50-year-old red metal siding, uncovering the full extent of the damage from the 1967 demolition of the neighboring building. The damage was far worse than anticipated, with over 75 percent of the original decorative brick facade destroyed and replaced by cinder blocks. This revelation prompted the decision to demolish the 115-year-old structure.