As Central Drug Store in San Francisco's Excelsior neighborhood approaches its final days, the community begins reconciling with the loss of a 116-year-old landmark. Owner Jerry Tonelli, who has spent nearly half a century at the helm, is retiring, leading to the closure of the cherished local business on July 15. In a Mission Local article, Tonelli shared reflections on the store that has been a staple in the neighborhood, with customers and owners sharing a rich tapestry of memories linked to the establishment.
Dino, Elsie, Jerry, Kathy, Toni, and Gus Tonelli announced the closure through a heartfelt social media post, expressing gratitude to the community that has supported them for generations. The store, which prided itself on outlasting many larger chain pharmacies, has been a part of the Excelsior community since 1965 under the Tonelli family. The announcement on Central Drug Store's Facebook page said, "We are a small, but mighty, pharmacy. And we are proud to say that we have outlasted Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and mail order services."
The deeply embedded presence of Central Drug in the neighborhood is evident in the stories and connections formed within its walls. According to Mission Local, many customers' adolescence, adulthood, and elderly years have intersected with the store's operations. For instance, "Miss" Ethel Wallace, a 94-year-old customer, has frequented Central Drug since she was a little girl, embodying the multi-generational patronage the store has enjoyed.
