Business

A restaurant in a Miami drugstore? A pharmacist who greets you? How it looked back then

Drugstores seem to be on the corner of every major intersection these days.

The two giants, CVS and Walgreens, look pretty much the same: red signs outside, candy counters up front, prescriptions in back, refrigerated cases of food and drink along the wall, and toys, housewares and personal items across the aisles.

But you want to chat with the pharmacist? Good luck with that.

So what was it like before the giants dominated?

Smaller, mom-and-pop drugstores dotted the landscape. They were on main streets and tucked into many neighborhoods.

The pharmacist may have been the owner, and was often front and center to talk about medicines or life. A diner and soda fountain, with a counter and some tables, served up eggs for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch, milkshakes for the after-school crowd.

There aren’t many small drugstores left in South Florida. But once they were everywhere.

From the archives of the Miami Herald, take a look:

Dania Beach

An old-fashioned drugstore is still operating on Federal Highway in Dania Beach.
An old-fashioned drugstore is still operating on Federal Highway in Dania Beach. Bob Eighmie Miami Herald File

Surfside

Sheldon’s Drugs in Surtfside closed in 2004 after 55 years in business.
Sheldon’s Drugs in Surtfside closed in 2004 after 55 years in business. Noelle Theard Miami Herald File

Gainesville

The lunch counter at Wise’s Drugs in Gainesville.
The lunch counter at Wise’s Drugs in Gainesville. Miami Herald File

Miami Springs

The site of an old Rexall drugstore in Miami Springs.
The site of an old Rexall drugstore in Miami Springs. Charles Trainor Jr Miami Herald File

Hollywood

Breeding’s Drugstore fountain in 1954, on North Federal Highway in Hollywood.
Breeding’s Drugstore fountain in 1954, on North Federal Highway in Hollywood. Courtesy of Anna Kelso Miami Herald File

Fort Lauderdale

Las Olas Chemist is an old-style pharmacy in Fort Lauderdale. In this file photo from 2004, Marc Leach holds a shaving kit and some candy.
Las Olas Chemist is an old-style pharmacy in Fort Lauderdale. In this file photo from 2004, Marc Leach holds a shaving kit and some candy. Candace West Miami Herald File
Carol Vordermeier works the counter at the Las Olas Chemist in Fort Lauderdale.
Carol Vordermeier works the counter at the Las Olas Chemist in Fort Lauderdale. Miami Herald File

Cooper City

Outside Cooper City’s Medicine Shoppe in 1999, owner-pharmacist Philip Schutzer shows off a few of the antique medicine bottles he collects.
Outside Cooper City’s Medicine Shoppe in 1999, owner-pharmacist Philip Schutzer shows off a few of the antique medicine bottles he collects. Marianne M. Armshaw Miami Herald File

Lemon City/Little Haiti

Lemon City Drug Store in 1948.
Lemon City Drug Store in 1948. Miami Herald File

South Miami

Anna Moussa serves coffee to patrons in 2004 at the diner inside Allen’s Drug Store, at Red and Bird roads in South Miami.
Anna Moussa serves coffee to patrons in 2004 at the diner inside Allen’s Drug Store, at Red and Bird roads in South Miami. Patrick Farrell Miami Herald File
Owner Al Collazo before Allen’s Drugstore closed in 2016.
Owner Al Collazo before Allen’s Drugstore closed in 2016. Miami Herald File
The Mr. Allen behind Allen’s Drug Store.
The Mr. Allen behind Allen’s Drug Store. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File

This story was originally published August 22, 2022 at 8:52 AM.

Profile Image of Jeff Kleinman
Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
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