A person who desires to apply for a license authorized by the provisions of this chapter shall, not more than thirty nor less than ten days before the filing of formal application, give notice of his intention. He shall give notice by posting a statement of his intention in such form as the commission may require at the front door or principal entrance of the place where the business is to be conducted. He shall also publish notice, in such form as the commission may require, as a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the county in which he intends to do business: Provided, however, That retail druggists desiring to sell alcoholic liquors on prescriptions shall not be subject to the provisions of this section: Provided further, That such retail druggists shall file formal application in writing with the commission and shall pay the license fee.