4 minute read
Corner Drug Celebrates 125 Years
OCTOBER 2022 Corner Drug celebrates 125 years of service
Enterprise staff writer
Fine wines the world over are turning green with envy as they can only dream of aging as well as Corner Drug in Woodland. Come November, this — quite literal — brick-and-mortar business will celebrate 125 years of service and stands as a testament to generations of unparalleled work ethic in Yolo County.
Corner Drug’s 125-year story begins back in 1897, when it was opened by a man named Wallace Pond. Since then, Corner Drug’s gone through renovations, endured pandemics, world wars, big-box competition and has had a handful of owners. Right before the turn of the century in 1999, Karl Hanke sold ownership of Corner Drug to his daughter, Lisa — who was also a pharmacist. Like mother like daughter, Lisa’s daughter, Sara, became a pharmacist as well and is now one of the managers along with her husband, Erik Daniells.
“I met my spouse, Sara, when she was going to pharmacy school at UOP in Stockton and she’s a third-generation owner. Her grandfather was a deliver boy and clerk back in the ’40s. Then he went to pharmacy school, got his license, bought in and became an owner. Then Sara’s mom, Lisa, became an owner and a pharmacist, so it was kind of destined for Sara to become one as well,” Daniells said. “I joined up around 2016 when there was a break in my theater schedule and started helping with deliveries and cashiering and have been an owner now for a couple years. Sara and I also have a little girl named Iris, who’s 3. We call her the junior intern because she hangs out here sometimes.”
While many pharmaceutical entities can’t be trusted as far as they can be thrown, Corner Drug has been building trust with customers for generations. Although this trust isn’t indicated by any Internet poll, it rings loud and clear through the innumerable anecdotes older customers bring with them through the doors. For Daniells, it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of being an owner of this historic business. Of course, it all rounds
From their old-school candies to their over-thecounter section to their wide variety of toys and free gift wrapping, Corner Drug is as handy and helpful in 2022 as it ever was over the past 125 years. To celebrate this milestone, Corner Drug will have a celebration on Friday, Nov 4. The revelries will run from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include live music, giveaways as well as speeches and dedications from distinguished guests.
To stay up-to-date on The Store of Service, one visit their website at cornerdrugco.com, visit their social media accounts by searching @cornerdrug on Instagram and Corner Drug Co on Facebook. Or visit the store in person at 602 Main St. in Woodland.
Amy Shuman/Courtesy photo
To celebrate its 125 year milestone, Corner Drug is having a celebration on Friday, Nov. 4. The revelries will be taking place from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include live music, giveaways as well as speeches and dedications from distinguished guests.
back to the selfless service Corner Drug has not only provided Woodland, but Davis as well.
“What’s really important for us, we try to reduce barriers to access. It’s difficult for some people to come down to the pharmacy and get their medication. So, we started delivering to Davis nursing homes, facilities and also residences a number of years ago before COVID,” Daniells explained Corner Drug’s connection to Davis. “We had to close our doors during the pandemic, and switched to curbside pickup and did free deliveries. That really ramped up our Davis deliveries, and that’s when we expanded to Winters and other outlying communities trying to make it easier for people to access the medication they need. And it’s still free delivery, too.”
Delivering since before delivery apps, Corner Drug used to bicycle customer wares across the county. With that sort of effort and dedication to their customers, it’s no wonder Corner Drug is dubbed “The Store of Service.” Of course, service not only applies to taking care of customers, but the employees as well.
“It’s an honor to carry on the legacy because so many people have worked here. Not just the previous owners but the clerks, the delivery drivers, pharmacists, it’s been a team effort for, really, that whole 125 years,” Daniells said. “I love people who come here for the first time because we have these old pharmacy antiques in our mini museum in our store. The other part is our regulars who come in and share stories of our history. It’s just special to hear those stories of, ‘oh I came in here when I was a kid,’ or ‘I used to work here in the seventies and take naps in the basement.’ My mother-in-law has so many of those personal stories working here over the years.”
Erik Daniells Corner Drug Store owner, pharmacist
