117-Year-Old Central Drug Store, Oldest Store in the Excelsior, Closing Permanently in July

Central Drug Store, the oldest retail store in San Francisco's Excelsior District, will close permanently on July 15 as owner Jerry Tonelli retires after 117 years. Established in 1908, the pharmacy has been a vital part of the community, serving generations of families. Tonelli announced his retirement on Facebook, where he expressed pride in having outlasted major chains like Walgreens and CVS. He highlighted the store's unique role as a community gathering place, stating, "It’s just a whole cycle of life that we’ve seen come through here. " The closure is part of a troubling trend, with at least 64 pharmacies in San Francisco closing in the last decade.

Despite the loss, Tonelli encourages patrons to fill their prescriptions at nearby Daniel’s Pharmacy after the closure. The family-owned business has deep roots in the community, as Tonelli's father purchased it in 1965, and he took over following his father's passing. This closing signifies not just the end of a business but the loss of a cherished local institution.