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RX Drug Center has been a staple of pharmacy care in Bainbridge for over 50 years. Winston Brock Sr. opened the apothecary in 1967 with business partner Bill Reynolds, and now, Brock Sr.’s son, Winston Brock Jr., is carrying on the legacy.

“We’ve been truly blessed with our growth,” Brock Sr. said.

When the pharmacy opened its doors, its primary focus was delivering prescription medication to patients, according to Brock Sr. He said they quickly started to transform their services to meet the needs of the community, and in 1973, moved into a new building to offer customers a better experience.

Brock Sr. kept his finger on the pulse of Bainbridge and, through the years, grew the store’s offerings significantly. He said they started incorporating over-the-counter medications, then branched out to durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and more. Then, they began selling supportive products, such as knee and back braces, before offering immunizations. Today’s store offers a wide range of medical products, “most all” immunizations, and other merchandise.

“We would delete some stuff and add some stuff depending on what the community was asking for,” Brock Sr. said.

Brock Sr. ran the pharmacy for 43 years before taking a step back. It was 2009, and Brock Jr. had been working at a Rite-Aid Pharmacy in Cairo for more than 10 years. Brock Sr. approached his son with an offer to sell him the pharmacy.

“Do you want to be a partner?” Brock Sr. asked Brock Jr. “And he said, ‘No, I want to own.’”

Brock Sr. made sure his son was ready for that kind of commitment, and they made a deal. Brock Jr. took over in 2010.

“He wanted to make sure this is what I wanted to do,” Brock Jr. said. “It’s a full commitment, but I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.”

In the 57 years of experience running RX Drug Center between Brock Jr. and Sr., they both said that creating meaningful relationships with customers is the most fulfilling part of the job.

“Our customers are like family,” Brock Jr. said. “They’re not coming here for the best price, they’re coming here ‘cause you’re going to treat them like family. That’s what I enjoy about it so much.”

Though Brock Sr. is no longer the owner, he still works at the pharmacy twice a week.

“Many people ask me and say, ‘Why do you still work?’” Brock Sr. said. “I say, “Because I enjoy it, but mainly because I come to see you.’ I enjoy talking to them, seeing how they’re doing, and seeing the family grow.”

Brock Sr. said one family has been coming to RX Drug Center for five generations.

“I never realized ‘till one day a lady came in here with a baby,” Brock Sr. said. “That was her grandbaby, and she went on to tell me, ‘You know, this is the fifth generation.’ It never dawned on me, and gosh, I feel old now, but I really felt old that day. She mentioned, ‘My grandmother traded here, my mother traded here, I’m trading here, my daughter trades here, and now the baby will be your customer.”

Here’s to 50+ more years of service in Bainbridge for RX Drug Center.