Business

Drugstores in Miami used to look like that? See the days before CVS and other chains

By Miami Herald Archives

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.

Then there are the pharmacies inside the supermarkets and big-box stores.

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, BLT 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 photo archives of the Miami Herald, take a look:

Miami Beach

In 1985, Ben Grenald outside his Moderne drugstore on 41st and Prairie Avenue in Miami Beach.
In 1985, Ben Grenald outside his Moderne drugstore on 41st and Prairie Avenue in Miami Beach. Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File
Eckerd on Alton Road in Miami Beach in 1988.
Eckerd on Alton Road in Miami Beach in 1988. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
Jeff and Jay Rittenberg (Twins) hard at work at store Surf Drugs on Miami Beach.
Jeff and Jay Rittenberg (Twins) hard at work at store Surf Drugs on Miami Beach. Jon Kral Miami Herald File

Downtown Miami

Walgreens in downtown Miami.
Walgreens in downtown Miami. Bob East Miami Herald File
In 1960, customers at the Walgreens lunch counter in downtown Miami.
In 1960, customers at the Walgreens lunch counter in downtown Miami. John Walther Miami Herald File

Little Havana

In the Miami Price Pharmacy, owned by Fidel Castro’s sister Juanita Castro, Maritza Valladares (1t) presents vitamins to the cashier for Purchase While Hemelina Gomez looks on. Lots of Miami residents are purchasing vitamins to be sent to Cuba because many of that island’s residents diets do not provide the necessary vitams they need to be healthy.
In the Miami Price Pharmacy, owned by Fidel Castro’s sister Juanita Castro, Maritza Valladares (1t) presents vitamins to the cashier for Purchase While Hemelina Gomez looks on. Lots of Miami residents are purchasing vitamins to be sent to Cuba because many of that island’s residents diets do not provide the necessary vitams they need to be healthy. A. Brennan Innerarity Miami Herald File
In 1964, a drugstore on Southwest 12th Avenue and 6th Street.
In 1964, a drugstore on Southwest 12th Avenue and 6th Street. Eamon Kennedy Miami Herald File

North Bay Village

Edward Portillo stamps mail at post office branch inside Federgo Drugs in North Bay Village.
Edward Portillo stamps mail at post office branch inside Federgo Drugs in North Bay Village. Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File

Homestead

Thelma Cuppy fills up a glass of coke just like she has for 27 Years at the Royal Palms Grill (drugstore) at 806 N Krome Ave in Homestead.
Thelma Cuppy fills up a glass of coke just like she has for 27 Years at the Royal Palms Grill (drugstore) at 806 N Krome Ave in Homestead. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File

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
The old Sheldon’s Drugs on Harding Avenue in Surfside.
The old Sheldon’s Drugs on Harding Avenue in Surfside. 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
John Stadnik is celebrating his 45 anniversary at the Miami springs pharmacy at 45 curtiss parkway. He is also the owner
John Stadnik is celebrating his 45 anniversary at the Miami springs pharmacy at 45 curtiss parkway. He is also the owner Peter Andrew Bosch 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
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