Smith's circa 1939

         Smith's Drug Company was first opened in 1925 by L.C. and Virginia Smith, and has been in continuous operation in our community. Our first location at 822 Gallia Street featured a complete and up-to-date drug store as well as a soda parlor, candies, the finest cigars and latest in New York and Parisian perfumes.  The store became a gathering place for local high school students.

          By the early 1930's Smith's had grown to three locations.  The second store, located at 210 Market Street, opened in 1929.  The third location at the Southwest corner of 5th and Chillicothe opened in 1932.  Business was booming.  In 1935, however, the Depression was taking its toll and the Market Street location was sold to Lantz Drugs. The two downtown locations remained strong.

         In 1937, flood waters swept through the downtown area.  The Chillicothe Street location survived only to be totally destroyed by fire in 1941. The remaining records were taken to the original store on Gallia Street.

         In 1943, the rebuilt Chillicothe Street location re-opened its doors.  The following year, Smith's Discount Pharmacy consolidated into this location and business thrived. In the early 1950's, we moved again--this time to a new, larger location across the street in the American Savings building.

         Smith's Discount Pharmacy operated at the 5th Street location for twenty years, providing outstanding service and innovative products.  Since the beginning, Smith's has remained a family owned and operated business.

         After L.C. Smith's death, the company was run by his two sons, Franklin E. Smith and pharmacist, John Smith.  In 1970, once again growing to meet the needs of the community Smith's Discount Pharmacy moved to its current location as part of an urban renewal project, at  745 Second Street, Portsmouth, Ohio.