A Pillar of the Community: The Evolution of Braswell Drugs in Covington
In the heart of Covington, a city that has seen remarkable growth over the decades, stands Braswell Drugs, a testament to the community’s evolution and the enduring value of local businesses. Jerry Braswell, who, alongside his wife Wanda, opened the drug store on Tyler Street in 1981, reminisces about the early days when Covington was “still very much a small town,” a time when the trip to the interstate was a quiet journey past only seven cars.
From its humble beginnings, Braswell Drugs has mirrored the expansion of Covington, transitioning from a small pharmacy to a significant local establishment. In 1995, the Braswells rebuilt their store into a larger facility, maintaining close ties with the growing St. Tammany Parish Hospital, now known as St. Tammany Health System. This proximity to the hospital marked a pivotal relationship, influencing the pharmacy’s role in the community.
The story took a new turn in 2018 when the Braswells passed the baton to Emily Webber and Chris Martin. However, following Webber’s passing and with Martin’s interests lying in Alabama, the store found a new owner this fall — St. Tammany Health System itself. The acquisition, spearheaded by Joan Coffman, President and CEO of the health system, was a strategic move aimed at expanding the hospital’s retail arm within the community.
The transaction, exceeding $2 million, is not just a business deal but a commitment to preserve the legacy of Braswell Drugs. Coffman assures that the pharmacy will retain its name and continue to operate without significant changes, ensuring that the 19 employees, many of whom have become as familiar to customers as family, will retain their roles.
The essence of Braswell Drugs extends beyond its products and services; it’s encapsulated in the personal touch and the high level of customer service that have become increasingly rare in the age of giant retail pharmacies. Paula Fricker, the pharmacy manager since 1989, emphasizes the importance of personal connections, from knowing each customer by name to ensuring rapid service that still carries the warmth of a neighborhood store.
This local touch is crucial in a sector as vast as the prescription drug business, which reported a staggering $601 billion in sales in 2021. While competing with pharmacy giants like Walgreens and CVS, Braswell Drugs has maintained its unique charm and service level, a testament to Jerry Braswell’s initial vision and the community’s loyalty.
The transformation of Tyler Street, from a quiet country road to a bustling thoroughfare with nearly 34,000 daily vehicles, symbolizes the dramatic changes that Braswell Drugs and Covington have undergone. Yet, despite these changes, the essence of community and personal connection remains the cornerstone of the pharmacy’s enduring success.
Jerry Braswell reflects on the journey with a mix of nostalgia and pride, acknowledging the vast shift from knowing 90% of his customers by name to witnessing the city’s explosive growth. The story of Braswell Drugs is more than a business narrative; it’s a chapter in the larger story of Covington’s development, a testament to the enduring value of community, and a reminder of the personal touch that defines the best of local entrepreneurship.
