Stribling Drugs celebrating 75th anniversary

Stribling Drugs is celebrating 75 years and Larry Stribling, the current owner, said he’s enjoyed getting to know practically everyone in town.

Stribling’s has been a gathering spot for students after school enjoying milkshakes and Cokes, as well as businessmen and locals gathering for coffee and swapping stories. 

“Stribling Drugs stands out since people in the community are loyal to small businesses,” Stribling said. “We appreciate everyone coming in and we thank you for letting us be here for all these years.”

Stribling Drugs opened on June 28, 1948, and celebrated its anniversary last month. 

Larry Stribling said the store came to be when his father, George “Jack” Stribling, a pharmacist at the end of World War II, partnered with Bill Hamill, the husband of his sister, Marguerite, and they worked together to make the drugstore a reality on Beacon Street. 

Stribling said that while the drug store is known for its family-owned atmosphere and variety, its been a popular hangout and gathering place for generations. 

“Most of the kids from Philadelphia High School would come in here after school, sometimes after church and Sunday school, to grab snacks, ice cream and milkshakes,” Stribling said. “Those kids were doing that around as long as the drugstore has been open, but they started trickling out of here around 10 years ago.” 

Stribling also recalls locals such as Steve Wilkerson, Gary Myers, Tony Alexander, and Sam Nowell coming by for coffee.

Steve Wilkerson, the former owner of Steve’s on the Square, said he came by the drugstore for snacks when he was a student at Philadelphia, and as an adult, it was for the coffee. 

He recalls going into the drugstore and getting a Coke for a dime and a candy bar for a nickel. 

“There was always a group of coffee drinkers in the morning time who would come by the drugstore and wanted to solve the problems of the world,” Wilkerson said. “There were a lot of discussions that would go on. As a student, we would pile in there after school. There were a few tables in there and they were always full. We would overlap with different groups of people and it would be interesting to see the differences in conversation.” 

Stribling’s was a great part of growing up, Wilkerson said. “It was a great education listening to stories being told,” he said. “I also remember a lot of fond experiences with Jack Stribling there as a student and an adult.”

Larry Stribling said getting to know people in town over the years has been a fantastic experience. 

“I’ve worked with Stribling Drugs since 1982 and became the owner back when the store began using computers,” he said. “Over the years I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, including those who knew my father, and it’s nice knowing people and their entire families.” 

Stribling is unsure who will take over the drugstore since his two sons, Reed and Kyle, both work in different professions. 

“The future of the business is still being decided,” he said. 

Stribling noted the drugstore stands out from other pharmacies due to being family owned and its wide variety of gifts. 

“My father was a people person and he enjoyed getting to know folks,” Stribling said. “He was great with people and that was probably the draw for everyone over the years. We appreciate everyone for their support. We wouldn’t be here if you didn’t come and have a lot of gratitude for the support.”

Stribling Drugs is located at 430 W Beacon Street in downtown Philadelphia. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call them at (601) 656-2472.