This month we take a look at drug stores in Walterboro. Drug stores were more than a store to buy cosmetic and fill prescriptions. The stores had Soda Fountains sold clothing, and a wide variety of household goods. Like Hiott’s Pharmacy today, they were a meeting place to catch up with friends and discuss the news of the day.
Washington Street had a number of Drug stores, at one point having seven Drug Stores in a three-block area. The stores included Peoples Pharmacy, Ackerman Beach Drug Store, Hiott’s Pharmacy which included Sancken’s Ice Cream before moving across the street to the Peoples building where it is today. Further down Washington Street was Walterboro Drug Company, also known as Rexall or Harry Cones Drug Store, It had three locations during its existence. The store still has its iconic blue and orange tile work on its exterior today.
Also on Washington Street was Walgreens, this is where AHAB operates today. The store was large and had a back entrance to allow customers to come in from the alley that accessed the Edwards Department store across the alley in the next block. At one point the store even included a Radio Shack section. Across town near the old hospital was Bailey’s Pharmacy, near the corner of South Lemacks Street and facing Carn Street. The building which is still there sat next to Dr. Fenders office. There was also Medical Arts Pharmacy on Magnolia Street.
The stores were unique and a glimpse of a bygone era, they had charge accounts and you would get a bill each month for your purchases. Some offered delivery service and a number of them had the amazing soda fountains where you could get the Cherry Coke, the Ice Cream Sunday, or a home-made sandwich. Today not many remain, but you can still get a feel for how it was at Hiott’s at the end of Washington Street.