Ferguson Drug closing this month

Ferguson Drug is the latest Walgreens branch to announce a store closure. This fixture of downtown Willow Springs will permanently close on Feb. 21, confirms a statement from Walgreens. 

Thus closes a chapter that has been a part of Willow Springs for one hundred seventeen years. 

Originally the site of a barn, the Ferguson Drug Company was located on Center Street, one-half block south of Second Street/Main Street, and operated by James "Bryant" Ferguson and Charles Ferguson. They renamed the business Ferguson Drug Company when they purchased it in 1906. It was previously known as the "City Drug Store." The Fergusons moved their store to the corner of Center and Second/Main Streets in 1928, where it remains today. Tom and Sadie Ruth Ferguson owned the business in the 1960s and 1970s, and David and Steve Norman bought the firm in 1974; Steve and his wife Ginny Norman ran it from 1982 until they retired and sold the business to Walgreens.

The announcement about Ferguson Drug comes on the heels of a similar announcement in neighboring Houston. Forbes Pharmacy, also powered by Walgreens, announced their closure earlier this month.

As reported by the Houston Herald, however, that closure will not go forward as planned. 

State Rep. Bennie Cook released a statement on Jan. 28 crediting the community action that saved the store. 

“I would like to thank everyone that called/sent emails and requested that Forbes Pharmacy stay open,” said Rep. Cook’s statement. “I would also like to thank Congressman Jason Smith & the Walgreens Government Affairs Missouri Division. A lot calls, texts and emails have taken place the last few weeks. This was definitely a community effort, and I was honored to help!”

 

Lou Wehmer contributed to this report.