As Central Drug Store in San Francisco’s Excelsior neighborhood approaches its final days, the community begins reconciling with the loss of a 116-year-old landmark. Owner Jerry Tonelli, who has spent nearly half a century at the helm, is retiring, leading to the closure of the cherished local business on July 15. In a Mission Local article, Tonelli shared reflections on the store that has been a staple in the neighborhood, with customers and owners sharing a rich tapestry of memories linked to the establishment.
Dino, Elsie, Jerry, Kathy, Toni, and Gus Tonelli announced the closure through a heartfelt social media post, expressing gratitude to the community that has supported them for generations. The store, which prided itself on outlasting many larger chain pharmacies, has been a part of the Excelsior community since 1965 under the Tonelli family. The announcement on Central Drug Store’s Facebook page said, “We are a small, but mighty, pharmacy. And we are proud to say that we have outlasted Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and mail order services.”…