Gem Book Store

The Gem Book Store was a bookseller and retailer of other general merchandise located at 218 South Palafox Street. The store was operated by C. R. Johnson.

Southward the Light of Progress Shines: Illustrated & Descriptive (1905) describes The Gem Book Store:

THE "GEM" BOOK STORE, No. 218 South Palafox Street, is conducted by the proprietor, Mr. C. R. Johnson, who does both a wholesale and retail business. He has been established for fifteen years, and carries a fine line of artists' material, sporting goods, picture frames, school books, miscellaneous books, newspapers, and magazines. The store is a handsome one, well located and nicely fitted up for the business transacted. The stock is attractively displayed, and is a very valuable one. The proprietor is a native of Florida, and is a well-known and popular merchant. Eighty-five per cent of the school books sold in the city are purchased here.