Sisters at Hamlin Drugs Named 2011 Movers and Shakers

Raleigh, NC – Sisters Kimberley Johnson Scott and Mischelle Johnson Corbin from Hamlin Drug Company in downtown Raleigh have been awarded the 2011 Movers and Shakers Award from Business Leader magazine. The annual award recognizes up and coming business leaders in the Triangle community.

Corbin and Scott were honored at an awards ceremony October 6 at Brier Creek Country Club. The sisters, who serve as vice presidents at Hamlin, were accompanied by their father Pharmacist John Johnson, who has owned the 107-year-old drug store since 1957.

“We are very honored to receive the Mover and Shaker Award from Business Leader magazine,” said Corbin.

“Although we have been moving and shaking things up quite a bit since our arrival two years ago, it’s really our Dad who has done the legwork, and set the legacy that is Hamlin,” said Scott, referring to the family’s plan for the sisters to take over the popular pharmacy two years ago.

Originally opened in 1904 as People’s Drug Store and renamed in 1907, Hamlin Drugs on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh is the oldest pharmacy in Raleigh, and the oldest African American owned pharmacy in the United States. The Johnson family takes pride in keeping the old-time traditions of hospitality and excellent customer service that the pharmacy was founded on over a century ago. Hamlin Drugs offers free delivery, accepts all major insurance programs including Medicaid and Medicare, and is certified in medication therapy management for the purpose of maximizing better health outcomes for their patients. For more information, visit www.hamlindrug.com, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter@HamlinDrug.

Originally founded in 1904 as People’s Drug Store, Hamlin Drug Company (which changed its name in 1907) is a well-known staple serving the African American community in downtown Raleigh, located in the heart of the central business district.
Soon after graduating from the Pharmacy School at Howard University in D.C.in 1953, John Johnson was drafted into the Army where he served as PrivateFirst Class during the Korean War. Then in 1957, Johnson teamed with partnerClarence Coleman and purchased Hamlin Drug Company from the family ofCaptain James E. Hamlin. Johnson and Coleman had a vision of keeping theold-time Hamlin traditions of excellent service and hospitality, while continuallyimproving the pharmacy’s business offerings, and serving as role models to therapidly growing younger African American community.

The next two decades brought drastic changes, including racial turmoil andsweeping political, social and economic unrest. The 50+ African Americanowned businesses that once filled Hargett Street, would dwindle to just a half-dozen survivors thirty years later in the ‘80s, with only a few still standing inthe new millenium. Over the decades Mr. Johnson witnessed first hand eventsthat we now only read about in history books: from Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.’s march on downtown Raleigh in the late 1950s, to the eventual looseningof the grip of racial prejudice in the south, to the high-tech pharmacy Hamlin istoday, using a prescription-filling robot and digital marketing to reach an everbroadening audience.
Through every decade, Johnson remained dedicated to bettering his businessand the health outcomes of those he serves. In the ‘70s, Johnson began torealize his vision of serving as a role model when he chaired the Committee of17, a biracial group of community leaders brought together to affect changesto bridge the racial gap between black and white citizens in the area. Then inthe ‘80s, Johnson was invited by area law-makers to participate in the evolvingregulation and legislation of issues affecting independent pharmacies.

Today, Hamlin Drugs is still owned and operated by Pharmacist John Johnson(his partner Clarence Coleman died in 1990), and he now shares the legacywith his daughters Mischelle Corbin and Kimberley Scott. Johnson, whocelebrated his 81st birthday this year, still works in the pharmacy six days perweek, and enjoys greeting generations of customers who, when they stop in tovisit, are often greeted by name.

Top priority for John Johnson remains his pursuit of philanthropic endeavors,including supporting centers for the homeless and battered women, supportingan intern program for Wake County Public School System students, andmentoring aspiring pharmacy students. Over 350 employees, mostly collegestudents working their way through school, have worked in the “family” atHamlin Drug Company over the years. One employee even asked her then boss Johnson to walk her down the aisle at her wedding, and he did.

As an active member dedicated to excellence in his field, Johnson is a 50-yearpin designee from the N.C. Association of Pharmacists, and a Resolution AwardRecipient from the N.C. Board of Pharmacy. Most recently, he was awarded theTriangle Business Journal’s Legacy Leader award, honoring ten area leaderswho have helped build a foundation of growth for their community throughextraordinary contributions that have left a legacy for others to follow.

Hamlin’s dedication to personal service for its customers is clear to thegenerations of families they serve. The century-long staying power of Hamlin isnot only proof of the perseverance of Mr. Johnson, but a tribute to his values.Johnson’s commitment to the African American community, being a friendlyneighbor to downtown residents, providing excellent customer service, and hisdedication to staying on the cutting edge in his field are the cornerstones of hisbusiness and the legacy he has carried for over five decades.

Happy Birthday Dr. Johnson. We appreciate all of your hard work at the pharmacy, and dedication to making the downtown community a better place to be!

After 103 years, Hamlin Drug Store still prides itself on keeping the “old-time traditions” of hospitality and great customer service, while also incorporating the modern technology of today’s top pharmacies.

The story of Raleigh’s oldest drug store begins with James Edward Hamlin, who in 1904 opened People’s Drug Store, which became Hamlin Drug Company in 1907.

Mischelle, Kim and Dr. Johnson being trained on the new robot.

After an unfortunate fire shortly after opening, the store was relocated to 118 East Hargett Street from its original location at 13 East Hargett St. The new location put Hamlin Drug Company right in the heart of the bustling Black commerce district, surrounded by establishments such as the Arcade Hotel and a host of doctors’ offices, Hamlin Drug Store had plenty of new customers to draw from. Physicians would send their patients to Hamlin for its friendly customer service and great reputation.

In 1957, two young pharmacists, John Mitchell Johnson and Clarence Coolidge Coleman purchased the Hamlin Drug Store from the remaining Hamlin heirs and moved the store to its current location at 126 East Hargett Street. This partnership ushered in an exciting era for the Hamlin Drug Company. With a new location, a new building, and two ambitious new owners, the store was well-poised to thrive. But the next two decades would bring drastic changes, including racial turmoil, social unrest, and a mass exodus of downtown businesses towards the new malls being built in the suburbs. Over 50 African American-owned businesses that filled Hargett Street in the ’50s would dwindle to just a half-dozen survivors by the ’80s. The sweeping changes of the ’60s and ’70s would forever change the business landscape in Raleigh, and the role of African Americans across the nation. Proudly Hamlin Drug Company is the oldest African American-owned pharmacy in the country.

Hamlin Drug Store is still owned and operated by Pharmacist John Johnson, who now shares the legacy with his daughters Mischelle J. Corbin and Kimberley J. Scott. The century-long staying power of Hamlin is a tribute not only to the perseverance of its owners, the Hamlins, Colemans and Johnsons; but, is also a testament to the vision and leadership of past Mayors Wesley Williams, Smedes York, Avery Upchurch, Charles Meeker, and others who marshalled the city’s forces to develop a plan of growth for small businesses like Hamlin Drug Company .

Over five decades since he bought Hamlin Drug Company, and with Dr. Johnson approaching his 80th birthday this year, the Johnsons have decided that 2010 will be a year of great change for Hamlin Drug Store. Plans include undergoing a full renovation to both the inside and outside of the store, adding new product selections including organic and all natural Health and Beauty products and sundries, delivering prescriptions on a brand new two-wheeled electronic Segway, developing a new e-commerce website, and welcoming a new employee, a state-of-the art ScriptPro Pharmacy Robot.

As downtown Raleigh anticipates the unveiling of the new and improved Hamlin Drug Store, you can expect that Hamlin will accept all major insurance programs including Medicaid and Medicare, keep up with legislation that affects the pharmacy industry, work with health care providers to maximize coverage and minimize costs for Hamlin customers, and most importantly, continue the values of community involvement and friendly customer service that are the cornerstones of John Johnson’s values and those of Hamlin Drug Company.

Q. Hamlin Drug is a huge part of downtown Raleigh’s history. How do you plan on getting the word out about your roots and history in this city?

A. Yes, Hamlin has a rich history in downtown Raleigh and we want everyone to know that Hamlin Drug Company has been in downtown Raleigh for over 100 years and under the present ownership for over 56 years. As we reintroduce Hamlin to the downtown community, we will use a variety of mediums, such as the DRA e-newsletter, other local publications, grassroots marketing and good old word of mouth to tell our story and share our legacy.

Q. How has downtown Raleigh changed in the past five, 10 years?

A. The downtown area has been completely retrofitted with a full complement of restaurants, meeting spaces and a host of other amenities making it a destination for both city residents and visitors alike. These changes represent the confidence that our capital city is a safe and inviting place to visit for business or pleasure.

Q. What great things can we expect from Hamlin Drug in the new year?

A. There is a tagline from long ago that says “the faces have changed, but the name is the same.” In 2010, the old Hamlin will become the New Hamlin. We will be adding several new faces to our staff as well as a full facelift to both the inside and outside of the store. We will be enhancing our selection of health and beauty products and our sundries. And, something we are VERY excited about is the addition of delivery services to Downtown Raleigh; as a way of reducing our carbon footprint, we will be making deliveries via Segway.

Q. Give us a sneak peek of something you have planned as part of your relaunch.

A. Well, I can’t give out full details just yet, but in early 2010 one of the new faces on our team will be a robot!