|
SEATTLE—In the world of corporate mergers, takeovers and buyouts, Bartell Drugs stands out as a family owned, locally-based company remaining true to its original mission of growing to meet the needs of it customers in Puget Sound area neighborhoods.
Celebrating its 115th anniversary this month, Bartell Drugs was founded in 1890 by George H. Bartell. The company’s longevity in the Puget Sound area is magnified by its status as the oldest drugstore chain in the United States.
The family-owned company now owns and operates 53 stores in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.
“My grandfather said it is all about taking care of customers and their needs. We’ve taken it a step further, providing 24-hour stores, drive-thru pharmacy services or as the first major retailer here to offer on-site, self-service processing of prints from digital images,” said George D. Bartell, chairman and CEO of the Seattle-based chain.
In honor of its anniversary, Bartell Drugs has teamed up with the Museum of History and Industry to offer a special two for one admission during the Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America exhibit. A historical display of Bartell Drugs memorabilia will be located in the lobby through the end of May.
The company continues to grow and evolve with the Puget Sound community with the opening of two new stores in Shoreline and Stanwood later this year. The new Shoreline store is located at 185th and Hwy. 99 and will feature a new prototype electronic/photo department, while the Stanwood store will mark the company’s “northernmost” store to date.
The ability of a business to grow and evolve with the needs of rapidly changing Puget Sound communities only serves to underscore the success of a company that has had the distinction of being the first discount pharmacy in Seattle, the first chain in the West with in-store soda fountains and film development, and the nation’s first drugstore in a major regional shopping center—Seattle’s Northgate Mall.
|
