Saywell's Drug Store was about fifth-graders walking, no, sprinting down Aurora Street on a warm June afternoon to get first dibs on the balloons the store used to sell -- artillery for the annual last-day-of-school water fight.

It was about using the last of your allowance on a creamy strawberry milkshake that took forever to drain through the thickest straw.

It was about men and women sitting around little tables talking and arguing about the news of the day.

It was about thick clumps of hot fudge quickly melting mountains of vanilla ice cream.

It was about old remedy bottles resting on ledges.

It was about the antique phone booth.

It was about a child's pink, liquid penicillin and an adolescent's proud excitement when the Hannas dispensed capsules instead.

It was about everyone knowing your name.

It was about the constant smiling face.

It was about Hudson's heart.

Since 1909, Saywell's Drug Store has stood watch over downtown Hudson. It's been there longer than the city's trademark Clock Tower.

But at the end of this month, the store will close, ship its pharmacy business to the Hudson Acme and perhaps even move its signature neon sign to the Acme Plaza on state Route 303.

Owner Harvey Hanna Jr. declined to say why Saywell's is closing, beyond saying there were ``many varying reasons.''

He said the new First & Main development behind his Main Street store had no ``direct'' effect on his business.

He said he doesn't want any fanfare when the landmark store with the old-time soda fountain shuts its doors. He declined to specify which day will be his last, but he did say he is considering taking the store's famous neon sign with him to the Acme Plaza.

Hanna said he will continue owning the building and hopes someone will come in and restart the soda fountain.

Hanna said that just as his great uncle started the business by shaking hands with Dr. George Martin nearly a century ago, he wants the end of the family business to be equally low key.

``There were no festivities when we opened, and there will be none when it closes,'' he said.

But the loss of the heart of this city, whose lifeblood in many ways is nostalgia, means sadness to residents, business owners and city officials -- not to mention the countless regulars who find solace in the store's thick milkshakes, hot coffee and lively conversation.

``It's a blow to Main Street,'' said Learned Owl Book Shop owner Liz Murphy. She, too, had been concerned that the First & Main project would hurt her business. However, it appears to have brought ``new faces'' to her store, she said.

City spokeswoman Jody Roberts expressed the city's sadness in losing its retail icon.

``We deeply regret his closing because it's such a landmark,'' Roberts said. ``Losing Saywell's is a great loss to the city.''

She, too, didn't believe First & Main caused the loss.

First & Main developer and Step2 owner Thomas Murdough said his project ``didn't do anything to'' Hanna, adding that he had resolved parking issues with Saywell's owners.

``I think it's helping downtown business,'' Murdough said of his development.

Saywell's has become a great, centralized hangout for area children eager for the store's candy, ice cream and milkshakes.

Western Reserve Academy students flock there for lunch.

Will Kimmerle, 18, a student at Western Reserve, goes to Saywell's every day for a milkshake. He was there Wednesday.

``I'll have to find a new place to get a milkshake,'' he said as he sat alone on one of the store's spinning stools.

For years, Saywell's -- like many independent pharmacies -- has been taking hits from the mega drug and discount stores. But Hanna wouldn't say whether the mega stores, or First & Main, or both, or neither, led to his decision to close the store. Monday, he told his employees. They will go with him to Acme, leaving behind nearly a century of memories.

1911 -- Fire destroys the building housing Saywell's and the business temporarily moves down the street.

1914 -- Saywell's reopens at its original location, 160 N. Main Street, after rebuilding.

1928 -- Harvey Hanna begins working as a stock boy at his uncle Fred's drugstore.

1953 -- After 43 years as a druggist, Fred Saywell sells his business to Harvey Hanna. Saywell, who had recently bought the building from Western Reserve Academy, maintains an apartment above the store, where he stays when visiting Hudson from his Florida home.

1966 -- Saywell dies at his home in Florida.

1975 -- Brothers Harvey ``Rick'' Hanna Jr. and John Hanna take over the business from their father.

2002 -- Saywell's ends Sunday hours. The owners cite a ``changing business climate'' downtown. There is speculation that the influx of chains downtown, like Starbucks Coffee and Panera Bread, is draining customers.

2004 -- Propositions from large retailers, including Walgreens, to be included in downtown Hudson's redevelopment -- the $55 million ``First & Main'' open-air center -- are rejected in favor of current downtown merchants like Saywell's.