1. The Local Pharmacy
Every town used to have its own independent pharmacy, run by someone who knew your name and remembered your prescription before you even walked in. They sold medicine, sure, but they also stocked greeting cards, candy bars, and a squeaky carousel of cheap toys. The pharmacist would sometimes even deliver meds to your house or let you run a tab if you were short that week. These were the kind of places where customer loyalty wasn’t a punch card—it was a handshake.
Today, those friendly counters have largely been replaced by giant chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. The pharmacist might still be kind, but they’re buried behind corporate systems and overwhelmed by volume. Instead of chatting with neighbors, you’re navigating self-checkout kiosks and trying to avoid knocking over a shelf of seasonal merchandise. The transformation prioritized efficiency and profit over community connection.
2. The Five-and-Dime
Remember the five-and-dime? These stores, like Woolworth’s or Ben Franklin, were packed with random wonders: sewing supplies, plastic toys, dishware, and candy sold by the pound. They were a place where a kid with a dollar felt rich, and an adult could pick up everyday basics without making a full grocery run. You didn’t go in with a list—you went in and figured it out as you wandered the aisles.
Today, most of these stores are long gone, their function absorbed by the convenience section of chain pharmacies. Need a cheap notebook or a random charger? It’s in aisle 12, between the toothpaste and the allergy meds. The charm of the unpredictable treasure hunt is lost, replaced by standardized inventory and fluorescent lighting. You still get what you need, but not with the same sense of discovery.
3. The Soda Fountain
For decades, the soda fountain inside a corner drugstore was a community hotspot. You’d slide onto a stool, order a cherry Coke or an egg cream, and gossip with friends or flirt with your crush. These weren’t just places to get a drink—they were social hubs, especially for teens. Even your grandma probably had a soda jerk she secretly liked.
These fountains started disappearing in the 1970s, and by the 2000s they were practically extinct. National pharmacies phased them out in favor of more floor space for vitamins and skin care. Sitting down for a root beer float was replaced by grabbing a bottle from a refrigerated case and rushing out. It’s hard to flirt in a checkout line, anyway.
4. The Photo Developing Store
Once upon a time, you had to drop your film off and come back in a few days to see how your pictures turned out. Stores like Fotomat, Ritz Camera, or even pharmacy-based photo counters were part of every town. You’d pick up your prints, maybe frame a few, and laugh at the blurry ones. It made photography feel special, even with its imperfections.
Now, most of us haven’t printed a photo in years. The one-hour photo booth was swallowed up by chain pharmacies, where it now takes up a single kiosk—if it’s still operational. Walgreens and CVS still offer printing, but only as a side hustle to their main gig. The magic and suspense of seeing your photos for the first time? Gone with the flash.
5. The Greeting Card Shop
Before every major chain pharmacy turned half its floor into a Hallmark showroom, towns had their own card and gift shops. These spots were carefully curated, with a mix of heartfelt, hilarious, and sometimes slightly off-color options. You could pick up a sympathy card and also browse quirky mugs or seasonal knickknacks. The owners often took real pride in the emotional tone of their inventory.
Today, most people buy cards on impulse, standing under flickering fluorescent lights in aisle 7 of a chain store. The selection is massive but impersonal, and there’s no one around to help you find the perfect one. With digital greetings taking over, the ritual of browsing physical cards has lost its importance. Still, that wall of pastel envelopes reminds us of what used to be a full-on experience.
6. The Mom-and-Pop Hardware Store
You didn’t need to know what a Phillips head screwdriver was—the guy behind the counter would explain it and maybe throw in a tip about fixing your leaky faucet. These small-town hardware stores were lifelines for homeowners and weekend project warriors alike. Inventory was piled high, but somehow the owners always knew exactly where everything was. And they’d even help you carry your stuff out to the car.
Today, many of these have been replaced or overshadowed by the small hardware aisles in giant pharmacies or absorbed into big box stores. A roll of duct tape or a lightbulb can still be found in a pinch, but there’s no expert nearby to guide you. The helpful conversations have been swapped for QR codes and shrink-wrapped convenience. It’s DIY without the human touch.
7. The Local Toy Store
Before the days of overnight shipping and big-box domination, the toy store in town was a wonderland. Whether it was a specialty shop or just a small section in another store, it had charm, chaos, and an unmistakable smell of new plastic. The owner knew what was flying off the shelves and always had a stash of yo-yos or trading cards. Birthday shopping was an event, not just a click.
Chain pharmacies have now made space for toys—mostly low-priced, high-margin stuff—tucked in next to the seasonal items. The soul of the experience is missing, and so is the personalized recommendation from someone who actually plays with the inventory. The toys are there, but they feel like afterthoughts. It’s hard to imagine a kid begging to visit aisle 14 the way they once did for the local toy shop.
8. The Stationery Store
There used to be shops entirely dedicated to pens, paper, journals, and envelopes, often with a faint whiff of leather and ink in the air. They were where you’d go before school started or when you needed a nice notebook for a new job. The staff knew the difference between good paper and great paper, and they’d steer you right. You might even find a proper fountain pen.
Nowadays, you’ll find a small, dusty stationery section in most big pharmacy chains, usually next to office supplies and printer ink. It’s functional, but it lacks any sense of craftsmanship or joy. Paper is paper, and it’s usually jammed into plastic sleeves. The love of writing as a tactile experience has taken a back seat to utility.
9. The Independent Bookstore
Before Amazon and e-readers, every town had at least one independent bookstore—even if it was tucked in the corner of another store. They sold paperbacks, school supplies, and sometimes doubled as ticket outlets for local events. You could spend hours browsing and leave with something you didn’t know you needed. The owners usually had staff picks on the shelves, and they’d chat with you about what you were reading.
Today, chain pharmacies often carry a few bestsellers or puzzle books near the registers, a pale shadow of the literary hub that used to exist. There’s no one to ask for a recommendation or suggest something off the beaten path. Books have become filler instead of focus. It’s a loss not just of books, but of community conversation.
10. The Compact Electronics Shop
Before every gadget came with an online manual and overnight shipping, there were small shops that sold cords, batteries, and obscure adapters. These places were lifesavers when your charger broke the night before a big trip. The owners usually knew a thing or two about what worked with what, and they might even fix things for you. It was a tech support line with a friendly face.
Now, most of that space is taken up by aisle after aisle of generic tech accessories at national pharmacy chains. You can still find headphones or phone chargers, but no one’s checking if they’re the right kind. Everything’s mass-produced, packaged, and sold with no guidance. It’s the same SKU no matter where you go.
11. The Health Food Store
Long before wellness was a billion-dollar industry, small health food stores offered vitamins, teas, and whole-grain cereals that looked like birdseed. They were often staffed by people who lived the lifestyle and could pronounce “quinoa” before it was cool. They’d make special orders for your weird flaxseed blend or talk you through herbal cold remedies. The vibe was earnest, sometimes a little kooky, but full of heart.
Today, corporate pharmacies carry a surprisingly large selection of vitamins and supplements—but without the knowledgeable guidance. You’ll find protein powder next to diet pills, with no one around to explain the difference. It’s wellness commodified and stacked on shelves under fluorescent lights. The community of crunchy wisdom has been replaced by sterile efficiency.
12. The Beauty Supply Store
Every town had a beauty store where you could find everything from hair dye to perm rods, and the staff knew exactly what you needed—even if you didn’t. They catered to local styles and trends, and often carried products big chains ignored. Whether you needed a wig cap, a hair relaxer, or an obscure nail polish shade, someone had your back. These stores were loud, colorful, and full of personality.
Now, national pharmacy chains have whole aisles of beauty products, but they’re curated by corporate buyers, not people who know your neighborhood. You can still find shampoo and lip gloss, but the specialized products are often missing. The knowledge behind the counter has been replaced by marketing copy on the label. It’s beauty, but make it bland.
13. The Video Rental Store
Every town had one—a Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, or independent shop where Friday night plans were made. You’d browse the aisles, read the backs of VHS boxes, and fight over the last copy of the new release. Late fees were a pain, but the ritual was part of the fun. The clerks had strong opinions and great recommendations.
With streaming taking over, even the remnants of DVD kiosks have mostly disappeared, and pharmacy chains don’t even pretend anymore. Where you once had a whole wall of choices, you now have maybe a shelf of DVDs no one asked for. The sense of occasion that came with renting a movie is gone. It’s just you, your couch, and an algorithm now.
This post 13 Stores Every Town Used to Have That Got Replaced by One Giant Pharmacy was first published on American Charm.
