"The Cooley Lilley store opened at 703 Edgmont Ave. on August 7, 1919.  I was then 7 years old and I remember it well.  The merchandise was house furnishings and hardware, and it was heavy on the hardware, as my Dad had worked for some years with Palmer and -?- Hardware in the 600 block of Edgmont Avenue.  Dad's expertise was in hardware, but he included house furnishings (pots, pans, etc.) as they thought there was a need for such a store in Chester at the time.  Over the years the hardware and house furnishings gave way to gifts and toys, a more profitable line.  [The store] moved to 625 Edgmont Ave. for some years and then back to 703.  Dad rented the store to Weinbergs."