DETROIT – Kinsel Drugs was Detroit’s first 24-hour drug store.
Opening in 1894 at the busy corner of Michigan Avenue and Griswold Street, it was more than just a pharmacy; it was a staple of the community. It served everything from deli meats to electronics.
Its reliability made it a popular destination for holiday shopping, attracting customers from far and wide, including those who frequent it year-round.
In 1977, we sent Bob Bennett downtown on Christmas Eve to see the hectic scene and to speak with last-minute shoppers in need of gifts, batteries, film and more.
“It’s a madhouse,” one shopper said.
You can watch the story in the video player above.
Kinsel Drugs was demolished in 2000. The Griswold apartment building currently stands where the iconic store once stood.