McCann's Rexall Drugs
Hudson Falls, NY
Photo courtesy Mike Engle

The old sign for McCann’s Rexall Drugs looks like it came straight from the days when every Main Street had a drugstore, a five-and-dime and at least one lunch counter with spinning stools. The familiar Rexall lettering hangs proudly over the sidewalk, making the pharmacy pretty hard to miss while passing through the Fort Edward area.

McCann’s traces its history back to 1896, giving this hometown pharmacy more than a century of service in Washington County. During the Rexall years, it offered the kind of old-school drugstore experience that included a soda fountain, magazines, household odds and ends and plenty of small items that nobody planned to buy until they walked through the door.

The business survived long after many independent Rexall stores disappeared. It eventually moved away from the soda-fountain and five-and-dime format, concentrating instead on prescriptions, specialized compounding and home delivery throughout Washington, Warren and Saratoga counties.

UPDATE: McCann’s continues to operate as McCann’s Pharmacy & Adirondack Compounding in Hudson Falls. The old orange-and-blue Rexall sign has been removed and replaced with modern pharmacy branding. 08-26

Dutchess Drugs (Gone)
Rhinebeck, NY
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Tucked into the old village streets of Rhinebeck is Dutchess Drugs, the kind of neighborhood pharmacy that looked as though it had been there forever. The simple projecting sign, striped awning and big front windows fit right in with the surrounding historic storefronts. Nothing fancy here, just a good old-fashioned Main Street drugstore. 01-07

The business was better known locally as Northern Dutchess Pharmacy. It opened in 1958 under Gus Verven and Solomon Neustat and remained a family-run operation for more than 50 years. Longtime pharmacist Walter Czajka spent over 30 of those years behind the counter, so chances were pretty good that regular customers knew exactly who would be filling their prescriptions.

Changing insurance requirements and the growing pressure from chain pharmacies eventually caught up with the little shop. Dutchess Drugs closed on April 16, 2013, with its prescription accounts transferred to the nearby CVS.

UPDATE: The former pharmacy building has been repurposed for other village retail, and the old Dutchess Drugs sign has been removed. 08-26

Waltz Pharmacy (Closed)
Damariscotta, ME
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Hanging over Main Street is the fine old sign for Waltz Pharmacy, complete with the familiar Rexall colors and enough vintage character to stop traffic, or at least slow it down a little. Inside waits an even rarer survivor, the original soda fountain with its counter and swivel stools still serving customers. 09-10

Perley Waltz opened the family pharmacy in August 1948. The drugstore remained in business until March 30, 2012, when its prescription accounts were transferred to Hannaford. Fortunately, nobody pulled the plug on the fountain.

The old pharmacy space was later joined with Renys Underground, but the fountain remained intact. New England frappes, malts, egg creams and local ice cream still come across the counter, proving that some renovations really do get it right.

UPDATE: Waltz Soda Fountain remains open under family ownership. The vintage Rexall sign survives, with “Pharmacy” replaced by “Soda Fountain.” 08-26

Block Drug Stores
New York City, NY
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

Here’s a rather surreal look at Block Drug Stores on Second Avenue. The giant wraparound sign, weathered storefront and jumble of city lights give the whole scene a slightly Mad Max look. Who knew picking up a prescription could feel this post-apocalyptic? 09-10

The East Village pharmacy traces its roots back to 1885, while the big porcelain and neon sign arrived during the Block Drug chain days in 1945. The chain eventually disappeared, but this location stayed put and became an independent neighborhood pharmacy.

The Palermo family has operated the store since 1962. Inside, the old pressed-tin ceiling and traditional pharmacy layout add even more character to this longtime survivor.

UPDATE: Block Drug Stores remains open at Second Avenue and East 6th Street. The massive wraparound neon sign still survives and continues to light up the corner. 08-26