Sutton’s Drug Store Celebrates 90th Anniversary

It’s not often in today’s retail pharmacy environment that a high-volume independent drug retailer survives for decades, let alone thrives in a large market with major competitors. Such is the case, however for Sutton’s Drug Store, which celebrates its 90^th anniversary this year in the college town of Chapel Hill, NC.  “We’ve been around so long because we have a good product and we’re good at waiting on people and making them feel comfortable,” John Woodard, pharmacist and owner of Sutton’s was quoted as telling the Daily Tar Heel.

Originally, Sutton’s was opened in 1923 by Lynwood and Lucy Sutton. In 1965, the store was sold to Elliott Brummitt under the premise that he would stick to the company’s original roots, and that principle was also extended to Woodard when he bought the store in 1977. According to the Daily Tar Heel, Woodard has also earned the business of many famous customers, including actors Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner, members of Bill Clinton’s presidential staff and Michael Jordan. The proof is on his walls, which are lined with pictures of customers — famous and not. The tradition started in 1981 when Woodard posted a picture of a group of morning regulars. “It’s sort of a nostalgic thing to do,” Woodard said. The store also features an open kitchen serving food that’s grown popular with its local Chapel Hill customers.

Sutton’s faces major competition in its hometown zip code in Chapel Hill, but holds its own and performs quite well for an independent pharmacy.

Chapel Hill Market*
Zip Code: 27514

*Source: Chain Store Guide Drug Industry Market Share Report – Zip Code Edition

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