After over a century in the community, San Francisco’s Central Drug Store is officially closed.
Owner Jerry Tonelli, retiring after 50 years as the neighborhood pharmacist, announced the closure last month. The Tonelli family took over in 1965, but the store’s roots date back to the early 1900s.
“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. I am pleased to say this is my choice and I am leaving on my own terms,” Tonelli said in the notice posted on the store’s Facebook page. “It is time for all of us to start a new phase in our lives and spend more time with our families.”
The Tonelli family thanked loyal customers for their support over the years, saying the pharmacy wouldn’t have survived without them. The closure sparked an outpouring of appreciation from the community. For the Tonellis, it was more than a business—Jerry’s parents even met there, he told CBS.
Tonelli took over the pharmacy in his 30s after his father’s death, while his mother worked there until age 96. Independent pharmacists, such as Tonelli, face growing financial pressure, which is primarily attributed to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These entities negotiate drug prices and reimbursement rates, often favoring large chains. PBMs argue they help lower costs and support independents, but many pharmacists say reduced reimbursements threaten their survival.
Tonelli said he’s retiring on his “own terms” despite pressure from major pharmacy chains, but warned others may not be as fortunate. He recalled how the city allowed Walgreens to open next to independents, eventually forcing many to shut down.
Multiple customers have been devastated by the news, with one customer saying: “I can’t tell you how many lives you have impacted.”
Another said: “I can’t put into words what a blessing Central Drug, Jerry and the Tonelli family have been to me and my family for over 50 years.”
Another customer also posted: “I was so sad to hear that you were leaving after all these years of your hard work and dedication to all your customers, there will not be another pharmacist or drugstore like yours.”
