After 117 years, a beloved neighborhood pharmacy is closing its doors—what that means for the community
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For more than a century, a neighborhood pharmacy has been part of everyday life—where locals picked up prescriptions, caught up with neighbors, and leaned on a pharmacist who remembered their name.
It’s a place where generations felt seen, heard, and cared for.
But now, the family-owned store that weathered decades of change is preparing to close.
The owner, Jerry Tonelli, is retiring after nearly 50 years of service, and with no one to continue the legacy, the doors will close for good on July 15, 2025.
That pharmacy is Central Drug Store, located in San Francisco’s Excelsior district—a cornerstone of the community that will be deeply missed.
A pharmacy rooted in people, not profit
Central Drug Store has always offered more than medication.
It has been a trusted resource, a welcoming space, and a symbol of stability in a city that’s constantly evolving.
Jerry Tonelli first began working at the store as a teenager in the 1960s, learning the ropes from his father, who bought the business in 1965.
When his father passed away, Jerry took over, keeping the store running on values that never changed—personal care, trust, and real relationships.
Over the years, customers returned not just for prescriptions, but for advice, conversation, and a sense of belonging.
Now, as Jerry prepares for retirement, there’s no one in the family to take over.
He made the difficult decision to close the doors, not because of failure, but on his own terms—a rarity in today’s world of consolidations and corporate shutdowns.
Also read: A popular pharmacy just made a big financial move—will your meds be affected?
How a small shop outlasted the giants
While pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid rapidly expanded and then contracted, Central Drug Store quietly endured.
Big box competitors opened stores nearby—and eventually closed them—but Jerry’s pharmacy kept going.
The difference? A focus on people.
In his farewell message, Jerry wrote, “We are a small, but mighty, pharmacy. And we are proud to say that we have outlasted Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and mail order services.”
In an industry driven more and more by speed and automation, Central Drug Store held onto something rare: connection.
And that’s exactly what kept customers coming back.
Also read: A familiar pharmacy chain is struggling—and it’s asking customers not to jump ship
America’s pharmacy landscape is changing fast
The closure of Central Drug Store is not an isolated story—it’s part of a larger shift affecting communities across the country.
CVS is nearing the end of a three-year plan to shutter 900 locations, which accounts for nearly 10% of its nationwide footprint.
Walgreens has closed more than 50 stores across 17 states just this spring.
Rite Aid, struggling through two bankruptcies in the last two years, has already shut down over a thousand locations and sold off parts of its business.
Why are so many pharmacies disappearing? Experts say it's a mix of rising operational costs, changing consumer habits, corporate restructuring, and the growth of online and mail-order prescription services.
These closures are creating so-called “pharmacy deserts”—areas where people, especially seniors or those without cars, now have limited access to medications and in-person advice.
Also read: Could your CVS be closing? New Arkansas Law puts all 23 stores at risk.
The quiet value of local pharmacies
Independent pharmacies like Central Drug Store may not grab headlines, but they’re vital to the communities they serve.
Unlike larger chains, they often provide more personalized care, longer consultations, flexible hours, and even home delivery for those who can’t leave the house.
They also help patients navigate insurance and medication costs—something especially important for older adults on fixed incomes.
When these pharmacies disappear, we lose more than convenience.
We lose a place where healthcare feels human, where trust is built over years, and where someone genuinely cares whether or not you’re getting better.
Also read: Is your local Walgreens closing? Find out which stores are shutting down and why over 1,000 locations are vanishing!
What’s next for your neighborhood pharmacy?
With big chains cutting costs and independents retiring, what does the future hold for American pharmacies?
Some predict a rise in telehealth and digital services—app-based prescription refills and online consultations.
Others hope we’ll see a comeback of small pharmacies with new business models or community partnerships.
But for now, Central Drug Store’s closure is a reminder of the quiet role these places play in our lives.
Supporting them—before they disappear—may be one of the most important things we can do to keep our neighborhoods connected.
Read next: Warning: Most online pharmacies might be dangerous—here’s what you need to know to protect your health
Did you grow up with a local pharmacy like Central Drug Store? Do you remember the smell of the store, the smile behind the counter, or a pharmacist who helped you when no one else would? Have you noticed fewer local pharmacies around you in recent years?
We’d love to hear your stories. Share your memories and thoughts in the comments so we can honor the role these places have played in our lives—and maybe, just maybe, help preserve what still remains.
It’s a place where generations felt seen, heard, and cared for.
But now, the family-owned store that weathered decades of change is preparing to close.
The owner, Jerry Tonelli, is retiring after nearly 50 years of service, and with no one to continue the legacy, the doors will close for good on July 15, 2025.
That pharmacy is Central Drug Store, located in San Francisco’s Excelsior district—a cornerstone of the community that will be deeply missed.
Local pharmacies have played a vital role in communities for generations, providing trusted care and a familiar face behind the counter. Image Source: Pexels / Anna Shvets.
A pharmacy rooted in people, not profit
Central Drug Store has always offered more than medication.
It has been a trusted resource, a welcoming space, and a symbol of stability in a city that’s constantly evolving.
Jerry Tonelli first began working at the store as a teenager in the 1960s, learning the ropes from his father, who bought the business in 1965.
When his father passed away, Jerry took over, keeping the store running on values that never changed—personal care, trust, and real relationships.
Over the years, customers returned not just for prescriptions, but for advice, conversation, and a sense of belonging.
Now, as Jerry prepares for retirement, there’s no one in the family to take over.
He made the difficult decision to close the doors, not because of failure, but on his own terms—a rarity in today’s world of consolidations and corporate shutdowns.
Also read: A popular pharmacy just made a big financial move—will your meds be affected?
How a small shop outlasted the giants
While pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid rapidly expanded and then contracted, Central Drug Store quietly endured.
Big box competitors opened stores nearby—and eventually closed them—but Jerry’s pharmacy kept going.
The difference? A focus on people.
In his farewell message, Jerry wrote, “We are a small, but mighty, pharmacy. And we are proud to say that we have outlasted Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and mail order services.”
In an industry driven more and more by speed and automation, Central Drug Store held onto something rare: connection.
And that’s exactly what kept customers coming back.
Also read: A familiar pharmacy chain is struggling—and it’s asking customers not to jump ship
America’s pharmacy landscape is changing fast
The closure of Central Drug Store is not an isolated story—it’s part of a larger shift affecting communities across the country.
CVS is nearing the end of a three-year plan to shutter 900 locations, which accounts for nearly 10% of its nationwide footprint.
Walgreens has closed more than 50 stores across 17 states just this spring.
Rite Aid, struggling through two bankruptcies in the last two years, has already shut down over a thousand locations and sold off parts of its business.
Why are so many pharmacies disappearing? Experts say it's a mix of rising operational costs, changing consumer habits, corporate restructuring, and the growth of online and mail-order prescription services.
These closures are creating so-called “pharmacy deserts”—areas where people, especially seniors or those without cars, now have limited access to medications and in-person advice.
Also read: Could your CVS be closing? New Arkansas Law puts all 23 stores at risk.
The quiet value of local pharmacies
Independent pharmacies like Central Drug Store may not grab headlines, but they’re vital to the communities they serve.
Unlike larger chains, they often provide more personalized care, longer consultations, flexible hours, and even home delivery for those who can’t leave the house.
They also help patients navigate insurance and medication costs—something especially important for older adults on fixed incomes.
When these pharmacies disappear, we lose more than convenience.
We lose a place where healthcare feels human, where trust is built over years, and where someone genuinely cares whether or not you’re getting better.
Also read: Is your local Walgreens closing? Find out which stores are shutting down and why over 1,000 locations are vanishing!
What’s next for your neighborhood pharmacy?
With big chains cutting costs and independents retiring, what does the future hold for American pharmacies?
Some predict a rise in telehealth and digital services—app-based prescription refills and online consultations.
Others hope we’ll see a comeback of small pharmacies with new business models or community partnerships.
But for now, Central Drug Store’s closure is a reminder of the quiet role these places play in our lives.
Supporting them—before they disappear—may be one of the most important things we can do to keep our neighborhoods connected.
Read next: Warning: Most online pharmacies might be dangerous—here’s what you need to know to protect your health
Did you grow up with a local pharmacy like Central Drug Store? Do you remember the smell of the store, the smile behind the counter, or a pharmacist who helped you when no one else would? Have you noticed fewer local pharmacies around you in recent years?
We’d love to hear your stories. Share your memories and thoughts in the comments so we can honor the role these places have played in our lives—and maybe, just maybe, help preserve what still remains.
