Nestled in uptown Centreville, J&S Drug is more than just a pharmacy; it’s a symbol of community dedication that has been a staple in Bibb County for over a century. Dawn Randolph and Seth Young, the co-owners of this venerable establishment, are due both recognition and appreciation for their unwavering commitment to the community.
In an interview with Seth Young, we have been able to gain insight into the ethos that has kept J&S Drug thriving for generations.
A business truly anchored in community, we asked Seth: “What does the word ‘community’ mean to your business?” His response was resounding: “It means our business is based around our community and community service – providing the best care for our community as possible.”
J&S Drug has stood in some form on that very spot for over a century. While ownership and names have changed, the one constant has been their commitment to the people of Bibb County. Seth emphasizes, “The community is what keeps us here and what keeps us going. So, they are our entire focus in everything we do and every decision we make.”
When asked about their strengths in serving the community, Seth emphasized the personal touch that sets J&S Drug apart. “Our biggest strength is our personability with the community. All of our employees are local – all three of our pharmacists were born and raised here and went to Bibb County High School. We all live in Centreville. We’re a part of the community; we know the community.”
J&S Drug isn’t just a business that operates in Centreville; it’s a business run by Centreville’s own, deeply ingrained in the local culture. “We’re the people that you see on Friday nights, the people that you see at the baseball field during the week with little league games, church on Sunday – just stuff like that. I think that is our biggest strength and what sets us apart from the other bigger businesses in town.”
The commitment to maintaining local roots doesn’t stop at hiring. “One of the things we look at most when hiring is keeping it local. We want our community to be able to feel like they can say with confidence, ‘That’s my drug store.'”
Recently, J&S Drug welcomed Sumer Hudson Holdsambeck as their third pharmacist. Sumer, like Seth and others on the team, grew up in Centreville. Seth is enthusiastic about this addition, stating, “We’re so excited about the opportunities that bringing in a third pharmacist is going to bring us. With more help in the pharmacy, it will free up so much time for us to do more things, provide better care, just overall – anything to do with the business, it’s going to make things better. We can now consider more of our clinical improvements that were originally going to have to wait until a little more way down the road. It gives us room to grow – grow the business and help more people.”
The Main Street project in Centreville holds a special place in J&S Drug’s plans. Seth, who sits on the Main Street Board, is excited about the upcoming changes. “With the store itself, we are wanting to completely renovate. We have plans to redo the front and the upstairs. We’ve discussed some ideas about making things more historically appropriate.”
J&S Drug aims to embrace the revitalization of the Centreville area through the Main Street program. “We’re trying to bring more gift items into the store to increase some of the foot traffic to kind of cater more to the type of foot traffic that the Main Street program will hopefully be bringing in.”
While they have grand plans, Seth acknowledges that there is still much uncertainty. “We’re excited to see what happens, but you know even we don’t know for sure yet where this is all going to go. We just know that things are moving, things are happening, and it’s exciting. It’s not just talk any more. Things are being put on paper, money is being put into it – it’s really exciting. I’m happy to be here to be a part of it, and I’m glad I was able to become involved with it.”
Though there has been talk about restoring the soda fountain counter to its former glory, Seth clarifies that it’s still in the realm of hearsay. Their immediate focus remains on providing top-notch pharmaceutical care to the community.
However, amidst these developments, one thing remains unchanged – the classic chicken salad they’ve been serving for years, a beloved staple for locals.
In closing, Seth sends a powerful message to the community: “We’re here and we’re ready to help. A lot of the time I think that people forget about businesses up here on the square. With so many businesses moving out of the square in the past years to down the hill instead, I just want people to know that we are still here. We’re ready to roll and ready to help.”
J&S Drug isn’t just a pharmacy; it’s a testament to the enduring bond between a business and its community, a legacy of care that has spanned generations. As Centreville’s Main Street project unfolds, J&S Drug stands ready to continue its vital role in the heart of the community, a beacon of unwavering commitment and genuine service.
