By ANGELA MCILLWAIN, Tribune News Staff
(Tribune photo/Angela McIllwain)
When the store was opened there were four drug stores in Lepanto.
"It was a big event to come to town back then," said Sam Holcomb. He has been a pharmacist for the store since 1972. "Men would polish their brass buttons on their overalls and bring the family to town on Saturdays.
In the "early days," Dr. Jones had an office in the back of the pharmacy where he practiced medicine and surgeries were even performed on sight. Dr. Jones would diagnose the patient at his office, and if a specialist was needed he would send them to the hospital. Many say his diagnosis was always right. At this time when Dr. Jones was practicing medicine in the back of the store, there was always something going on in the front at the pharmacy as well. The pharmacy had a jukebox so that patrons could listen to music as they sat and enjoyed their cold soda from the old fashioned soda fountain, a fixture that still remains in the store today. Many visitors enjoyed a big banana split while the children played the pinball machines. At this time one could sit and enjoy leisure time without having to worry about gas prices, as it was about 19 cents a gallon.
Holcomb said folks used to come in much more often and have a cup of coffee and sit and visit, but this has slowed down because life has become so hectic. However, the atmosphere at Jones' is always friendly and relaxed. When "The Painted House" was being filmed both the cast and the crew commented about how friendly everyone in Lepanto was, unlike many in California.
Much of the decor that fills the pharmacy was bought from the film industry when shooting wrapped, and although the old fashioned soda fountain is not operable now, it was during filming. "It took four hours to film a 45 second scene" said Holcomb.
"I thought about being a doctor but figured I would have no time off," Holcomb said when asked about why he wanted to become a pharmacist. "So I became a pharmacist and still have no time off."
He said that nevertheless he still enjoys his job very much."Prescription growth is growing faster than the population" said Holcomb.
"Not a day goes by that I don't learn something new," he said.
Leland Cates comes in the pharmacy and works three days a week where he has worked since the early days the pharmacy opened.
Wilma Peirce has been a pharmacy technician working with Holcomb for 18 years where she learned on the job training. They said that because there are fewer local pharmacies they service customers from Marked Tree, Osceola, Caraway, Marion, Etowah, Dyess and many of the surrounding areas.
Almost any lifetime acquaintance or new customer will agree that Jone's Drug Store is a nice addition to the town of Lepanto. It is a family, friendly pharmacy that still exists in the today's high tech society.