Excellent businessmen from in the past are frequently overlooked. In the days before businesses women There are the business guys who ran households and provided support to their families. The pre-World War I man that we are presenting today came from Andalusia during 1903 and 1904 to set up his business in the Court Square. His jewelry and optical business has steadily grown to become one of the biggest that existed in its region.
Dr. Parnell Lewis, referred to by the locals as P. Lewis was the owner and director of his progressive optical and jewelry company. The company was founded as a tiny repair and optical shop in a tiny part of the W. R. Tisdale store on the south-facing side of the square. Lewis gradually grew into an extensive business that attracted customers from all over the.
After a few years at The Tisdale retail store Lewis relocated to a store at the Berman Building located on South Three Notch for seven years. Then he moved to the East Court Square with faith in the “business stability and growth of the area” in The 1930 Progress Addition of The Andalusia Star.
In Tuskegee, Lewis was educated at the public schools as well as at Tuskegee Military Institute. Alabama Military Institute. Later, he attended Bradley Horological School Bradley Horological Schooland the Peoria The Optical College both located in Peoria, Illinois.
It was published by 1930 that the current value of the stock of his store was $2000. as compared with the initial valuation of his business of the $150.
“Still the numbers aren’t the only way to tell the story. The quality of goods has improved with time. and design of merchandise in both optical and jewelry departments, making them more accessible and also more affordable. The addition of additional lines to make the inventory available to customers. Its items of silverware items,and novelty items that are available in the store will delight the eyes. The company also has the well-known Victor talk machine record player, radios as the exclusive agent for these little leather items and musical instruments.”
The following article is from The Andalusia Star September 9 1930 edition “The optic department at the Andalusia Star is among the most fully-equipped in the country, offering tests for eyes exams, as well as fitting glasses.”
“Watch Repair and Jewelry”” is one of the best offerings and the most attractive draw cards in the department store. Lewis is watch inspector for the Central of Georgia and the L & N railways, and is among the most skilled repairmen in the state.”
” Miss Wilma Patterson provides valuable assistance to the different activities of the business, being always on duty to show the products that are sold in the stores.”
“This exquisite business has been founded on three essential elements of successful business: success with merchandising: high-quality products, and service to customers and integrity when dealing with customers.”
Lewis was an regular advertiser for The local paper throughout his 45-year tenure throughout Andalusia. His small ” one-liner ads”brought to the readers throughout the decades.
“We have rings, bracelets, and compacts all in abundance for your price.”(1937)
“Belt strap set with buckle, travel set the first rings, and a lighter will be suitable for him.”(1934)
“Why why don’t you get her a bag for her weekend. “$8.00 up.”(1934)
“P. Lewis Will Gift Gold Ring To The First 1940 baby.” (1939)
“Gifts all over for the recipients at the price.”(1940)
“Buy her an engagement ring at $16.50 up.”(1941)
“We have wrist watches for ladies and gentlemen priced from $9.90 up.”(1941)
The month of April was 1940. the front page advertisement appeared “OFFERS Prize”P. Lewis will pay two dollars to anyone who can guess the closest the population of the area in Andalusia and the total will be revealed upon taking the census which is currently taking place.”
In May 1940 it was declared the winner “H. L. Solomon of Andalusia, Route 6, guessed closest to the census of 1940 in Andalusia and was presented with the cash prize by P. Lewis. Mr. Solomon was able to guess 6,981. The number is 6,862 .”
I wonder if it is one of the two-dollar bills that is still worth it in the future? (I have just learned of it during the Antiques Road Show! )
Alongside Lewis his downtown business He also owned and ran six rental properties in addition to his home on East Three Notch Street that was constructed and was published in the local newspaper in 1930. In a coincidence, the P. Lewis house was owned and was occupied in the name of Dr. Richard Merrill family in later times. Merrillis an optometrist in his own right.
His wife Mrs. P. Lewis, was popular in the circles of social life in Andalusia. She was a member of the club women featured in columns on society, such as the Lemoine Garden Club, the Mentor Club, the Parnassus Club as well as The Women’s Society of Christian Service (W.S.C.S. ) and was a the chairperson of a committee for create a library in the public sector (1936).
The Juin 1946 front page story published in the Andalusia Star read, ” The Johnson Bros. have bought the P. Lewis Jewelry Co. from Mr. Parnell Lewis Sale effective on June 21. This jewelry shop will be run under the direction of Mr. Turner Johnson adding a fifth store in their chain. The other stores are in Greenville, Opelika, Mobile in addition to Pascagoula, Miss. The members of the family include Starling, James, Woodrow, Elton, Turner, and Hardy Johnson. All are watchmakers and Mr. Starling Johnson is also an optometrist.
Johnson Bros. Johnson Bros. offers the complete range of diamonds, watches glassware, sterling silverand other items. They invite the customers to come by their shop. Dr. Lewis plans to keep operating his optic service.”
Moving forward with this story, Pate Jewelry replaced Johnson Bros. Jewelry in similar Court Square location. Jimmy along with Diane Pate purchased the business in 1984 and ran until 1996, offering the same high-quality merchandise and service to customers as Johnson and Lewis before them.
Then, in January 1958, The Andalusia Star reported that –
“Dr. P. Lewis, Andalusia optometrist was brought into Covington Memorial Hospital by ambulance at around 8:30 on Tuesday night. p.m. This Wednesday the following day, Dr. Lewis who is among Andalusia’s pioneers was diagnosed as being in critical condition.”
On the 20th of March in 1958, the obituary of Dr. Lewis was published on the front of the paper – “Dr. P. Lewis, 80 was dead – Optometrist practiced in Andy for 45 years.” Dr. Parnell Lewis Andalusia optician for more than 50 years, passed away Tuesday at a local medical facility. Lewis was struck by an stroke that was paralytic just six weeks ago and was admitted to the hospital since then. The couple is survived by their wife who was the ex-wife of Lorraine Threadgill, daughter of a well-known Methodist priest. Lewis was a member of the First Baptist Church, a founding membership of the Andalusia Rotary Club also was a recipient of the Shriner Award.”
“Funeral service” was held on Wednesday morning at the Lewis home located on East Three Notch Street with Rev. E. E. Weaver, missionary for the Covington County Baptist Association, and Rev. F. G. Hastings Associate Pastor at the First Methodist Church officiating. Funeral services will take place at Tuskegee and will be conducted by Rev. John Lane, pastor of the Tuskegee Methodist Church, conducting. Lane previously resided within Andalusiawhere the pastor worked for over five years as director for the Blue Lake Methodist Assembly Ground.”
The P. Lewis Jeweler and Optician storefront is visible in this photo from the past, that is labeled PUBLIC SQUARE AND CIVIC CCENTER ANDALUSIA, ALA. Brown and Broughton, Druggists, was next door. I can imagine Dr. Lewis often walking across the street towards the pharmacy to purchase chocolate malts or cherry Coke or even a cigar. It is interesting to note that the streets that surround the square in the photo appear to be unpaved even though the area has sidewalkswhich have replaced those of the boardswalks. The photo was probably taken in the latter part of the 20th century. The early cars parked in the central park can be identified and dated through Ward Taylor whose grandfather Howard Ward had ordered the Fords from his business at the time, called the Andalusia Motor Company. He also acquired an exclusive franchise to Fords.
It’s always interesting to read writing about and researching the beginning entrepreneurs from Andalusia who contributed to helping to create an Andalusia commercial community and then to create the business community that it is today . 2023. The P. Lewis story is only one of these.
Sue Bass Wilson, AHS Class of 1965 is a local real estate agent as well as a former choral music instructor and a long-time participant in the Covington Historical Society. She can be reached at suebwilson4@gmail.com.
The story Remember When P. Lewis’s story P. Lewis story was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
