The meat, poultry, pork and fish counter of the First National Store at 447 Main Street was well stocked with what seems to be every cut of meat, type of fish, and fresh fowl that was available at a retail market. Due to the re-numbering of Main Street, the original First National was located to the right of the present-day Colonial Spa when facing the building. A past edition to this historical calendar featured a look at the store's produce section, which began art the far right of this photograph. Meat manager Carl H. Brown and store manager Lloyd F. Curtis moved Store #37 to a new, more 'commodious' location across Main Street on February 1, 1940. Its new location at 456 Main Street (now 404 Main Street) was in the new brick building which replaced the Walton Block. Parking was available in the rear of the building and customer could enter from Mechanic (Princess) or Lincoln Streets as well as from Main Street. The new 'self-service' store was 52' x 120' with wide aisles. The meat and product sections were located to the left of the store, with the dairy at the right and the groceries in the center aisles. The basement contained storage areas and groceries, refrigerated areas for produce and fruits, and all refrigeration. It is interesting to note that the First National Store opened its new 'super-market' on the same day in 1940 as the A&P market at the corner of Main and Centre Streets. Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2018 Photo courtesy of Wakefield Un-Common Antiques & Collectibles
