I’d say someone should write the opposite of this piece about that bakery or bookstore, but something tells me many have probably already been written.
My senior year in high school, I remember driving to a Thrifty (the old west coast equivalent of CVS) after school and buying myself a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream for 35 cents. It was the best.
That’s awesome. When I was first dating my wife her tiny little town had an old school one of these on the town square. It was called Dek’s and was so cool. Sadly it’s gone today.
If you are ever in Sussex, Wisconsin we have an AMAZING old school bowling alley. Great bar food, free popcorn, and bartenders who remember your name. Maybe I should write about that!!!
And wasn’t Lana Turner discovered at Schwab’s drug store?
Great essay.
We have a fab compound pharmacy. All healthy products. While Jeffreys spa is Home Depot I love Johnsons compound pharmacy. They would be wise to offer a protein smoothie.
When I was a teen, my hair would fall across my eye in what I imagined was an alluring way. My dad would say, "Hey, Lana, get your hair out of your face." He was such a realist with his straight pin comments puncturing my thought balloons.
I was just thinking about Molly Ringwald the other day and how much I wanted to be her in every single one of her films while I was daydreaming on my commute to work and here you are mentioning her in a post! Go figure 😊
I used to work as a pharmacy tech at a grocery store, but it was an “open concept” layout where we had no place to hide from people, unlike the tiny window at places like cvs and Walgreens!
I never knew that’s why pharmacies started selling soda and having soda jerks (one of the best names for a job ever). So interesting. CVS is a cruel hellscape every time. I actually went to an independent pharmacy to get a prescription filled this afternoon just for kicks and it was amazing. No jerk employees in either sense of the word.
Sadly it is a solid observation about modern retail. Give me the small and intimate bakery or bookstore. It seems that it’s all that’s left.
I’d say someone should write the opposite of this piece about that bakery or bookstore, but something tells me many have probably already been written.
My senior year in high school, I remember driving to a Thrifty (the old west coast equivalent of CVS) after school and buying myself a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream for 35 cents. It was the best.
That’s awesome. When I was first dating my wife her tiny little town had an old school one of these on the town square. It was called Dek’s and was so cool. Sadly it’s gone today.
At my CVS, half the store is locked up now, including things I can’t imagine anyone stealing.
If you’re going to risk a criminal record, aim a little higher than Head & Shoulders.
Know what's sad? Baby formula is ALWAYS under lock and key. Not just at CVS.
Well that’s weird. Because people steal it I guess?
Yup. It's resellable. And costly.
Head and Shoulders, now there’s a blast from the past. Do they really still make that? I remember the commercials back in the day.
Last I was in North Dakota, all the pharmacies were independently owned (state law). No chains.
Also I feel like if they put a discount on the KY, they could also do -50% on the other items. Or maybe “half off condoms” sounds too wrong.
Hahaha, half off condoms…there is some sort of functionality joke in there.
Well, now we at least know North Dakota does two things right: football and pharmacies.
Fun fact: The best qb I ever coached broke all of the current NDSU head coach’s records in college. (He was a D3 qb)
How in the world did "the complete life cycle of regrettable sex" not make the cut as the title of this essay?
Dammit! That’s it, you’ve just personally appointed yourself COO of SilentPunt Enterprises. The hours suck but we make up for it with shitty pay.
I'm in, though I'm quite sure that COO stands for something unique in your organization. Please expand the acronym.
We traditionalists will not stand for this over optimization!! While we are on the subject, bring back the normal bowling allies! Great piece, Henny.
Thanks Kara!
If you are ever in Sussex, Wisconsin we have an AMAZING old school bowling alley. Great bar food, free popcorn, and bartenders who remember your name. Maybe I should write about that!!!
Fantastic. And yes, you should! I once wrote about wishing one of those back into existence. 😁
And wasn’t Lana Turner discovered at Schwab’s drug store?
Great essay.
We have a fab compound pharmacy. All healthy products. While Jeffreys spa is Home Depot I love Johnsons compound pharmacy. They would be wise to offer a protein smoothie.
Carissa I’m a little embarrassed to say I had to google Lana Turner 😬.
That’s so cool you still have a normal pharmacy. I thought they were ALL gone!
And don’t get me started on Home Depot!!! Ask Jeffrey what he thinks of the service there now as compared to say 15 years ago.
Lana Turner! One of the Hollywood blondes, specifically MGM! The "good old times" where the study owned you.
Known for her pin-up pictures. For her films with Clark Gable. The most famous, "The Postman Always Rings Twice".
And for her boyfriend Stompanato.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Johnny_Stompanato
Yes, I'm old.
Send my regards to Maverick! I looked up the book.
Holy shit what a story!
When I was a teen, my hair would fall across my eye in what I imagined was an alluring way. My dad would say, "Hey, Lana, get your hair out of your face." He was such a realist with his straight pin comments puncturing my thought balloons.
Tough love ...
What a story!
Oh, I know. I’ve been with him to Home Depot. Even the employees have to look at the app with directions.
Oh I know it well. So well in fact…
https://theconundrummer.substack.com/p/the-cvs-apocalypse?r=5b2srd&utm_medium=ios
Oh shit that is crazy AND hilarious. I even hearted it back then. You must’ve planted the seed my friend!!
Also, fuck CVS 👊🏼
100%
Sad but true. Well done Coach.
Appreciate you Tamara 👊🏼
Spot on, Henny. I’ve got three words of advice for you: Mail Order Pharmacy. It works like a dream. . .except for my wife, who must be doing it wrong.
Not sure I knew there was mail order pharmacy. Does it get to you overnight?
It comes very quickly - mine is called ExpressScripts - maybe it’s only available to old guys like me on Medicare coverage plans?
Why don’t you have a goddamn book deal already? Who do I need to bust heads on? 🤨
Geez dude, that’s the nicest thing said to me in quite some time. 👊🏼
I see said the blind man. The last thing I bought in CVS was KY jelly. My wife told me to use it on my bicycles sprocket.
🤣🤣
I was just thinking about Molly Ringwald the other day and how much I wanted to be her in every single one of her films while I was daydreaming on my commute to work and here you are mentioning her in a post! Go figure 😊
She must’ve been in the ether Stephanie 😉
I used to work as a pharmacy tech at a grocery store, but it was an “open concept” layout where we had no place to hide from people, unlike the tiny window at places like cvs and Walgreens!
Ha. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide!
I never knew that’s why pharmacies started selling soda and having soda jerks (one of the best names for a job ever). So interesting. CVS is a cruel hellscape every time. I actually went to an independent pharmacy to get a prescription filled this afternoon just for kicks and it was amazing. No jerk employees in either sense of the word.
Wow. I don’t think I have that option. Although someone else in the comments (also on the east coast) said they had one as well.
Great piece, Henny! You nailed this! And yeah, the only thing worse than heading into a CVS for a prescription is going to Walgreens!
Thanks Diane! I agree - equally shitty!!!