Supplies were "toted" to DeLand from Beresford where there were two stores. One belonged to B. F. Colcord and David Felt and the other to H. B. Austin and J. W. Cannon. They were the only stores between Volusia Landing and Enterprise. In 1877 J. B. Jordan moved to DeLand and opened the first store there on the south side of Indiana Avenue. The next year he sold out to J. S. Kilkoff and G. A. Dreka. The new firm began business by issuing invitations to the people of the whole county to visit their store and inspect their goods. They came in carts; they came on foot, and on horseback; some brought their whole families. They patronized the free lunch counter in great numbers and there was a brisk trade at the other counters. From this time DeLand began to be a center of trade. Dreka and Company was the oldest and largest mercantile establishment in the county. It was moved in 1882 to the present site on the southeast corner of Woodland Boulevard and New York Avenue in downtown DeLand. The growth of the business of George A. Dreka and of the city of DeLand are inseparably joined together into one edifice. Like a fortress, he has withstood fire and frost, panics and booms with inestimable benefit to the community. Other stores were added as the demand grew. Among them were the Davis store and McLaurine and Stockton's, sold to R. C. Bushnell. Folks also needed furniture. J. F. Allen had in the early days many occupations. He was carpenter, sewing machine agent and orange grower. In 1882 he moved to his present home and concentrated on furniture. The business was at first on Rich Avenue, after several changes it was located on the Boulevard, where the establishment occupies four stores. J. A. Allen, son of J. F. Allen is manager. A circular of 1881, states that during the years 1878-1880 within a radius of six miles, DeLand being the center, there were only four deaths, two of infants under six months and two men who came there sick. Was this due entirely to the climate, or to the wise care of the doctors of whom there were several, aided by good drug stores. Dr. Lancaster with J. B. Jordan, as a partner, was the first druggist in DeLand. The store was on the north side of Indiana Avenue between the Boulevard and Florida Avenue. They sold out to Moon and Harshey. Later a Mr. Brown came. He built the old Fisher drug store and George W. Fisher bought him out. The G. W. Fisher Drug Company and W. A. Allen and Company starting a little later are important firms of the present day, DeLand, Florida.