A landmark family-owned pharmacy that has been serving San Francisco residents for over a century is about to write its final chapter, leaving customers and healthcare advocates concerned about the future of independent drugstores.
According to Daily Mail, Central Drug Store, which has remarkably outlasted major pharmacy chains and weathered numerous economic storms since 1918, will permanently close its doors on Tuesday as owner Jerry Tonelli announces his retirement.
The closure marks the end of a 117-year journey that began in the same building where the store currently operates, purchased by the Tonelli family in 1965. While other pharmacies have come and gone, Central Drug Store maintained its reputation for personalized service and community care that larger chains struggled to match.
The Tonelli family's pharmaceutical legacy began in 1949 when Dino Tonelli, a UCSF pharmacy school graduate and World War II veteran, started working at the store. The pharmacy became more than just a workplace when he met his future wife there, who began working at the store at age 16 and continued until her passing in 2023 at 96.
Jerry Tonelli took over the business in 1978 following his father's death, learning through what he describes as "trial and error" in his thirties. Under his stewardship, the pharmacy flourished while maintaining its commitment to personalized customer service and community care.
The store has been particularly vital for immigrants and uninsured individuals, with Jerry noting how they frequently assisted customers in finding over-the-counter solutions when doctor visits weren't feasible. This dedication to accessible healthcare made the pharmacy an invaluable community resource.
Longtime patrons have been sharing touching memories of their experiences at Central Drug Store, with many recounting stories spanning multiple decades. One customer recalled visiting the store with her mother in the 1950s, continuing the tradition through the 70s and 80s while the pharmacy cared for her parents.
Fran Colombo, a devoted customer of 50 years, emphasized how the Tonelli family made everyone feel special upon entering the store. She particularly remembered Jerry's thoughtfulness in escorting her husband to their car, demonstrating the kind of personal touch that made the pharmacy special.
The closure has raised concerns about healthcare accessibility, especially for older and less tech-savvy customers who rely on traditional pharmacy services. Many customers are worried about transitioning to digital pharmacy services or finding alternative locations that provide the same level of personal attention.
The independent pharmacy's closure comes amid broader industry turbulence, with major chains experiencing significant difficulties. Rite Aid, once operating over 5,000 stores, has filed for bankruptcy twice recently and plans to close all locations.
CVS is set to close 900 stores by the end of 2024, while continuing to operate over 9,000 US locations. The chain has announced plans for hundreds more closures this year, signaling ongoing industry consolidation.
Walgreens isn't faring much better, currently executing plans to shutter 1,200 stores, including 450 locations this year. These closures reflect the broader challenges facing both chain and independent pharmacies across the nation.
The imminent closure of Central Drug Store highlights a critical shift in how Americans access their healthcare needs. While Jerry Tonelli made his retirement decision independently, the timing coincides with unprecedented challenges facing both independent and chain pharmacies across the nation.
The loss of this 117-year-old institution leaves a significant gap in San Francisco's healthcare landscape, particularly for vulnerable populations who relied on the store's personalized approach to patient care. The pharmacy's closure is especially impactful for elderly customers like Fran Colombo, who have depended on its services for decades and now must navigate unfamiliar digital platforms or find new healthcare providers.
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, the closure of Central Drug Store serves as a poignant reminder of the changing dynamics in community healthcare. While Jerry Tonelli looks forward to his well-deserved retirement and continued community service through volunteer work, his departure marks the end of a remarkable era in San Francisco's pharmaceutical history that began with his father Dino in 1949.
