Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
Since 1860, the building located at 724 Main Street in Rochester has always held a pharmacy. Now, 160 years later, Harry Webb is proud to be the owner of Webb’s Family Pharmacy. In April he will celebrate 30 years as owner of the business. Owning the pharmacy had long been a dream of his, so when the opportunity arose in 1990 to buy it, Webb knew he had to act.
“I love retail, and I love math and science, so a pharmacy was the perfect fit,” Webb explains. “I always had that goal of owning my own store one day.”
Webb has transformed the store during his time there. In 1994 he undertook a major interior remodel. In 2005 he removed a decades-old soda fountain and transformed the new space into a pharmacy area complete with a drive-thru window for customers on the go. In 2011 he expanded by purchasing the property next door. Even with the changes he’s made, Webb still works hard to preserve the history of the building.
“We have some historical photos hanging on the wall, and some artifacts going all the way back to the 1800s,” he says.
And that’s not all. In 2017 the store received a substantial grant for historic preservation that allowed Webb to completely renovate the building’s facade. Today, it stands out from other pharmacies. Customers know as soon as they enter that they are not in a traditional chain store.
The wide variety of products and services offered at Webb’s rivals chain stores, and the dedication to customer service is nearly impossible to beat. The staff is knowledgeable about all of the nutritional supplements, home hospital gear and pharmacy needs within the store. Staff members work with customers in private consultation rooms to discuss respiratory issues or home medical care. Beyond the traditional pharmacy products, the store also hosts a sizable gift department with candy, toys, sports memorabilia, housewares and more.
Webb’s Family Pharmacy doesn’t solely serve customers – Webb is highly involved in the community, working with the Chamber of Commerce, the Health Department and various charities. He and his staff believe in giving back – they devote hundreds of hours toward volunteer work annually.
“Our proudest thing is back when there was a real problem with people making meth in their homes, making a dangerous environment for children,” Webb says. “A group of local people got together, and we got pharmacists to legitimize the production of Sudafed. And then Governor Pence came and signed legislation into law in our store. There are people still affected by it but the days of making it in their homes are thankfully done, and there’s been a 94 percent reduction in the state of people making meth in their homes.”
Visit Webb’s Family Pharmacy at 724 Main Street in Rochester. Call 574-223-2216 or visit webbrx.com for more information.
