The Way It Should Be Done

I grew up in a little town not unlike Mayberry! There was a different store for every need of a family. Reynolds had a hardware store, a clothing store, a couple of restaurants, 2 grocery stores, 3 or 4 gas stations, a couple of funeral homes, a Chevrolet dealer, a florist, a post office, a city hall, 2 barber shops, a beauty nook, a baptist and a methodist church and a PHARMACY.

The pharmacy was started by Mr. Clay Whatley but when I was growing up, Mr. Clay had sold the store to Leonard Whatley. Because my father owned one of the grocery stores, I had to work there every other Saturday and every summer, but I knew that the grocery business was not for me. I loved visiting Reynolds Pharmacy and vividly remember the days of the soda fountain. There was a certain aroma that was ever-present in the pharmacy ... to let one know that this place was different. Leonard Whatley became my mentor in the pharmacy profession and even went to UGA School of Pharmacy to "beg" the dean to let me in. It worked and I was on my way to a career in this profession.

I graduated and went to work for a large chain because they had all the opportunity and benefits (so I thought) and after 11 years I went to work for a large pharmaceutical company where I have remained until this day. I never lost my love for the independent pharmacy and through the years I have had the opportunity to visit many throughout the state of Georgia. Several come to mind as I write this, but there is one in particular that I wish to describe.

If one travels up to Rome, Georgia and follows the highway past Berry College, one will eventually come to Summerville and the next town is Trion, Georgia. If you have never visited an old mill town, then this is the place. Things have changed a lot from the old mill town days as America is no longer a big manufacturer of textiles, but if you ever heard the song by Tennessee Ernie Ford , I OWE MY SOUL TO THE COMPANY STORE, then you will find Trion an interesting place.

Mt. Vernon Mills (formerly Riegel Textiles) furnished everything for their employees! They even furnished mill coins that could be used in the company store. They brought people into the world with company doctors in the company hospital. They were educated in company schools. Between birth and death they provided EVERYTHING that a human being could need. The "BIG FRIENDLY" store had 17 departments (and yes they had a pharmacy). The Mill even provided a funeral home! They brought you into the world, educated you, gave you a job and buried you when you died. Nobody complained ... it was a great life! But times changed in the USA and the mill changed along with it. The mill is still there today, but it is nothing like its heyday.

In 1961, after the demise of the "Big Friendly", the pharmacist at the mill went into the pharmacy business for himself. As you come into Trion, you can see the old store right on your left. In 1974 a young man name Tommy Lester Thompson from Murphy, North Carolina bought the store and began a prosperous business. When I was a pharmacist in Rome, I had the opportunity to speak with Tommy by phone on several occasions and later (1986) in my job as a representative for Glaxo Pharmaceuticals, I met Tommy and his brother Tim and began what has become a long and enduring friendship. Almost every trip to Trion I stop by to say hello. What I have discovered is that in 1983, Tommy developed some health problems and in 1984 sold the store to his brother Tim, but thankfully, Tommy is in great health today and both he and Tim enjoy the role of dual pharmacists at this delightful store.




Now, remember that I came to love independent pharmacies in my childhood in Reynolds, so when I walked into Trion Drugs for the first time I was instantly transported back to my childhood days. This pharmacy was full of life and personality. Tommy or Tim would always invite me back and we would visit for a while. They even had a DME (durable medical equipment) business that was added in 1986, so there was always something "buzzing" in this store. I watched the manner in which employees treated the customers and it reminded me of home. The customers (patients) were their friends and they treated them as such ... just like they treated me! They make you feel as if they are genuinely delighted that you came by! Unfortunately, today in most pharmacies, this is not the case! The store was well- lighted and was spotlessly clean and organized. I loved to go there.




The reason I use the past tense here is that they have built a new store right next door. The DME business uses the old store to warehouse the equipment, but their business office is located in the new building. Everything is linked by phone lines and cameras and the new pharmacy is absolutely beautiful. Tommy and Tim designed it themselves and one could notice that at every patient-contact point there is a computer terminal and a telephone. All the information they need is at an arms-length away and they never have to walk away from a customer. Simply put, this is the best pharmacy I have ever visited and if you are ever up Trion way, stop by and say hello to Tommy,Tim and all the gang.





They have 25 employees and 8 have been there over 10 years. Sarah Money has been there since 1983! Their staff is helpful and courteous and cheerful to a fault. You will notice to your right, as you stand in front of the prescription counter, a wall of pictures of the old mill days. It has created much interest and many locals are bringing in some old pictures (and stories) to add to the wall. Peruse these pictures for a while and then get Tim or Tommy to give you a little history lesson.

I have been in this business for a long time and I have been in more pharmacies than I can count. Believe me! If you want to see the practice of Pharmacy done The Way It Should Be Done, stop by and say hello to my buddies Tommy and Tim Thompson. And be sure to tell them that Chicken George says hello!