We’ve all watched the Christmas classic "It’s A Wonderful Life." In the treasured movie, a young George Bailey works the counter at the local drug store. However, it is more than a pharmacy. It’s a place to grab a bite to eat, perhaps have a sundae (with coconuts of course), or simply a place to gather and visit. The patrons become friends and the workers become family.
The same can be said about Creedmoor Drug Company. The local pharmacy has been family-owned and operated for over 50 years. Yes, it is a full-service pharmacy that offers prescription drugs, immunizations and patient medication review. But, there’s more. They also provide everything from gifts to greeting cards, to a full fountain that offers breakfast, lunch, ice cream, milk shakes, fresh squeezed orange-aids and lemon-aids, and hot dogs with their own homemade chili and slaw.
Still defining Creedmoor Drug in terms of what they sell is like defining a family by reciting their names. To know Creedmoor Drug you need to know the people. Since 1914 the pharmacy has been family-owned. The current ownership is led by Bobby Wheeler and his son Ryan who joined the family business in 2016. Since 1962, four generations of the Wheeler family have proudly owned and managed Creedmoor Drug.
The prescription for their success is simple and comes from a few basic rules Bobby learned from his father….and is passing on to his son.
Dad Rule #1 – "Know your customers and treat them like family."
When you walk into Creedmoor Drug there is simply a different vibe. Yes, part of it is the lunch counter that sits to the left as you enter. The counter has been the first job for many a Creedmoor teens across the years, and you cannot find a seat on a Wednesday when the hotdog special takes place. But, it is more. Rather what is unique is that as soon as you walk in you’re treated like family. "Hello’s" ring out from workers and patrons, folks greet each other, ask how the family is, how school is. As Bobby says, "You walk in and you’re family."
This connection extends beyond the brick and mortar of the store. "If your child needs a prescription and it is 3:00 a.m., Says Bobby, "we will come down to the store and open it up – and provide you the medicine you need. Not simply because it is how we differentiate ourselves, but because we care. Our customers are family."
Dad Rule #2 – The customer can go anywhere – thank them for choosing you.
Thanking them means not only verbally, but in your actions as well. If you order a prescription from them once, Creedmoor Drug will keep that prescription in stock. Why? Because you rely on them and they rely on you. With Creedmoor not having a doctor in the town limits, it is not unusual for customers to reach out for medical advice and guidance. "We don’t provide medical evaluation, but a sense of support and comfort," explains Bobby. Why? Simply, they care.
Dad #3 – You run a retail business, you don’t do politics….
Did we mention not all Dad Rules are followed? A few years ago, Creedmoor needed a new mayor. Who better than the most trusted man in town. For Wheeler it was not by design, just a way to give back to the community. In the pharmacy he sees people he cares for, as mayor he sees an opportunity to care by helping make the whole community prosper.
For years, Wheeler has extended his hand to others. Now, recently the tables have turned. Earlier this year, he faced a serious medical issue. As everyone hoped, Bobby is now back on the mend and doing well. As he returned to the store, it was now time for the customers to step-up. "How are you doing?" "You’re looking good." "Now don’t push things, you need to take it easy." Everyone wanted to talk, reach out, and wish him well. Why? Because that is what family does. For Bobby it was just another example on how he certainly lives a Wonderful Life – and owns a business that is Uniquely Carolina.
Creedmoor Pharmacy
108 N Main St Creedmoor, NC
(919) 528-0041
http://creedmoordrug.com/
M-F: 9am-6:30pm, Sat: 9am-3pm, Closed Sunday