Our Company History

Bartell Drugs is still a family owned - locally operated company.

The Bartell Drug Company was founded by George H. Bartell Sr., a 21-year-old pharmacist from Kansas. In 1890, he purchased the Lake Washington Pharmacy at 2711 Jackson Street. His son, George H. Bartell Jr., became president of the company in 1939. Today, all of the company’s 58 stores are located in Puget Sound neighborhoods.

Bartell Drugs is the oldest family owned drugstore chain in the nation. George D. Bartell, grandson of the founder, serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Jean (Bartell) Barber, the founder’s granddaughter, is the Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the company. Together, the Bartell Family and employee associates have built an extremely successful company, one that strives to satisfy its customers by offering them personalized service and by providing its associates a stable and rewarding work environment.

This mission is supported by some basic principles of conducting business that Bartell Drugs has followed since its inception in 1890. Few companies remain in business for more than 100 years. We believe that the primary reason for our success and longevity is encompassed in our basic philosophy of doing business.

We believe

“That we must provide our customers with the best possible selection of quality merchandise and friendly, courteous service at competitive prices in pleasant surroundings, and that we must provide our employee associates with pleasant and rewarding employment.”