JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Whaley’s has been Jefferson City’s hometown pharmacy for over 80 years. But that run will soon be coming to an end.
Patients have until July 26 to transfer any prescriptions to a different pharmacy before their records are automatically transferred to Walgreens.
Walgreens has agreed to buy the three Whaley’s locations which will give the chain ownership of all the pharmacy files and related information. Patients will have the option to switch pharmacies before the transition.
“They will receive notification in the mail along with details about their prescriptions. We also will be offering opportunities to apply for employment to Whaley’s pharmacy staff,” Walgreens wrote in a statement.
Whaley’s explained the reason for the sale in a public statement.
“The independent pharmacy industry has become more challenging over the last several years. The increased cost of goods along with the decrease in reimbursement from insurance companies has made it difficult for us to survive and continue to provide the same level of patient services and care that our customers deserve.”
The news left community members and employees in shock. Whaley’s was not just a typical drugstore. It was a staple of the community.
“I know everybody is going to miss that soda fountain and all the specialty drinks they have. Just the personal touch because it’s a private individual. It’s not like a large company pharmacy,” Chas Dolce, who has been washing Whaley’s windows for over 30 years, told ABC 17 News.
“I come here almost every day. I get my medicines from here and their service has been impeccable,” Edie Vogel added.
Justin Sullens Jr. is one of Whaley’s customer service representatives who works at the East End And Drug location. His mother has been working at the West location for 12 years. He says the now-famous soda fountain is what drew him to work there.
“I’ve always kinda wanted to be a soda jerk and help make the famous cherry cokes,” Sullens said.
Edie Vogel’s family is the operator of Jefferson City Coca-Cola Bottling company which provides the syrup for Whaley’s fountain cherry cokes.
A few months ago Coca-Cola decided to stop providing the syrup to the Jefferson City territory because only a few businesses in town were using the syrup.
“We ceased to provide it so Gill, the soda manager here stocked up on it and all of a sudden we are finding out that Whaley’s is closing. so it’s the end of an era here in Jefferson City for the most delicious Cherry Cokes in the area.”
On Monday Whaley’s employees found that the soda fountain and building that housed it would be closing its doors for good.
ABC 17 News spoke with over a dozen customers and employees. The majority of customers say they will be taking their business to other local pharmacies in town. “I will transfer my medicines to Robert’s drug store on Truman Blvd because they are locally owned,” Vogel said.
Meanwhile, several employees said they have already started applying for new jobs or that they aren’t interested in working for Walgreens.
“My mom came from Walgreens when she moved here and I won’t be working with Walgreens,” Sullen said.
Whaley’s first opened in 1943. Whaley’s owner Red Whaley and his son Jim expanded the business in 1973 by opening another store on the southwest side of town. Their third location was added in 2005 on the west side of town.
While the stores may be closing their memory will live on.
“Every day little kids come in they want a float they want ice cream or a soda. Seeing the smiles on their faces was always a pretty special deal,” Sullens Jr said.
“Just being a part of their lives, especially the people coming first time ever coming in here. How old it is and how great it is to come in here you know? It’s been a shock, it’s been surprising. Very upsetting.”