Picture going into your local pharmacy and seeing the same welcoming smile for 50 years. That was the reality at Central Drug Store, a well-loved, family-owned pharmacy in San Francisco’s Excelsior District. But on July 15, the historic shop closed its doors for good after over 100 years in business.
Jerry Tonelli, pharmacist and owner, made the bittersweet announcement last month. He is retiring, and for the first time in decades, the Mission Street intersection will not resonate with the warm greeting of the Tonelli family.
A family legacy that began in 1965
The Tonelli family had run the pharmacy since 1965, but the pharmacy itself had been around since the early 1900s. For Jerry, it was not just business—it was home. His parents had met there. He had inherited it at the age of 30 when his father passed away, and his mom still worked at the store well into the age of 96 year!
Years passed, and Central Drug was more than just a drugstore. It was a pillar of the community, weathering the likes of giant chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid.
“Leaving on my own terms”
Tonelli wanted it to be clear in his goodbye letter: it was on his terms.
We’re a small but fierce pharmacy. And we’re proud to say we survived the giants. I get to retire on my terms and spend more time with family,” he wrote on Facebook.
And the town reacted with affection. Dozens of customers left tales, tears, and thank-yous online:
> “There will never be another pharmacy like yours.”
> “You were a blessing to my family for more than 50 years.”
It’s not hard to notice that Jerry and his staff left a large footprint.
Why independent pharmacies are suffering
Although Jerry is retiring voluntarily, he still worries about the future of independent pharmacies.
One of the main issues? Pharmacy Benefit Managers — middlemen between drug makers, insurers, and pharmacies. PBMs claim to lower costs for consumers on prescription drugs, but independent pharmacy owners argue that they effectively cut reimbursement rates, making it hard to stay in business.
The city started to open the door to Walgreens, and they’d open right across the street from the independents,” Jerry said. “Eventually, the little guys had to close up.”
It’s a trend that occurs across the entire country. Numerous small, community pharmacies have closed their doors in recent years due to these challenges.
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More than a store
Walking into Central Drug Store was akin to walking into a time capsule. It had traditional drawers along the walls, and Jerry knew his customers by name. He offered what no chain drugstore could: personal attention, a sense of community, and a true sense of trust.
Although the store is gone, the legacy and memories that it left will remain in the Excelsior District.
So, to Jerry and the Tonelli family—thank you. For every filled prescription, every kind word, and every extra minute you took to assist a neighbor. You can close the doors, but you’ve left a legacy that can’t be beat.
