When driving on South Dalton Street in Slocomb, many people do a double-take. They come across a drugstore bearing the same name, adorned with a mural that proclaims it as “Dalton Pharmacy, the first pharmacy since 1903.”

This pharmacy has been run by four generations of the Dalton family over its impressive 122-year history. A testament to its enduring presence is right by the entrance.

Inside the store, there’s an original cash register made of brass and other vintage metals, dating back to when plastic was unheard of. An old mortar and pestle from last year completes the nostalgic atmosphere.

The black-and-white checkered floor houses a soda fountain reminiscent of days when pharmacists would whip up Coca-Cola from scratch.

In the early 1900s, when Jep P. Dalton opened his shop downtown, Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House, radio was just a novelty, and Slocomb was only two years old. “He started it to support his brother, CC Dalton, who was in the medical field,” shares Joe Dalton, a third-generation pharmacist.

Jep’s father passed away in 1930, leaving the business in the hands of his wife, Manty Hollis Dalton. Their son, Charles Hollis Dalton, an Auburn University Pharmacy graduate, took the reins shortly after.

Paul Dalton, Manty’s youngest son, earned his pharmacy degree from Auburn in 1942. Four years later, after serving in the Navy, he joined Charles in managing the store.

After Charles Dalton’s death in 1997, Paul continued to run the pharmacy for 60 years before passing it on to his son, Joe. “For the last 60 years, my dad has never missed a day of work or complained about it,” Joe reflects.

Joe fondly remembers the past. “When I was a kid, we sold everything from jewelry to ice cream and roasted peanuts.” Back then, drugstores even published textbooks for Slocomb school children. Dalton Pharmacy has become a local icon.

“In school, I would serve at the soda fountain,” Joe recalls. “To me, a perfect milkshake meant the straw was unassisted in the middle. Now, it’s just a milkshake. I used to sell watches and small pins; if a watch broke, we’d just put on a new band. Nowadays, it’s usually cheaper to buy a new watch altogether.”

“At the core of our business is customer service and relationships,” Joe emphasizes. “Small, independent pharmacies are vital for communities like Slocomb. Big chain drugstores rarely set foot in small towns.”

Now, Joe’s son, Tyler Dalton, is taking on the family legacy, having started working at the store as a child.

“I was just a little kid when I began helping my grandfather,” he shares. “I’d screw on lids and do other small tasks during holidays and summers. I always found myself enjoying it.”

Tyler, part of the fourth generation, also holds a degree in pharmacy.

He discusses how a small drugstore can still compete with larger pharmacies in nearby Dothan, which is about 20 miles away. “We have relationships; they know us and we know them.”

“We attend church together, play sports with them, and contribute to local programs,” he notes. “It’s all about community support.”

According to Tyler’s dad, Joe, there used to be a time when pharmacists held a higher regard, even more so than doctors, as everyone relied on them for advice.

Tyler stresses the significance of their local pharmacy. “This connection is crucial,” he points out. “Ordering medicine is not like calling for pizza. A medication mix-up could lead to serious hospital visits.”

“Many seniors in Slocomb struggle to navigate online resources or don’t have good Wi-Fi,” he adds. “Some can’t even make the trip to Dothan.”

“That’s why small, independent pharmacies are essential. Big chains don’t come to towns like Slocomb, but we’ve been here for over a century.”

“Our customers know who we are. They feel comfortable asking us questions they might hesitate to bring up with a doctor.”

Continuing with Joe’s reflections, Tyler states: “We fill their prescriptions and consult with their doctors, often looking for more affordable options. Sometimes we even deliver prescriptions to their homes.”

Joe recalls how drugstores have changed over the years. “In the past, we handled just a handful of homemade medications, but now it’s in the thousands. Services have expanded to include vaccines and consultations.”

Both Joe and Tyler noted that early drugstores relied heavily on cash transactions, while today’s pharmacies are often insurance-driven, which can sometimes threaten their survival.

“In Alabama, we see pharmacies closing every week,” Tyler cautions. “They can’t continue losing money. Insurance costs are challenging for us.”

He shares concerning statistics: “Over 20% of the prescriptions we fill are financially unfeasible. A medication costing $1,000 might only get $800 back from insurance, leaving us with a loss of $200.”

Both generations see this issue occurring statewide.

“We’re advocating for fair laws in Alabama and pushing for compensation that at least covers drug costs,” Tyler states.

He appreciates the knowledge passed down through his family, combined with education he gained in school. “I feel honored to continue this family legacy.”

Today, the Dalton Pharmacy Group operates across nine locations. Besides the original in Slocomb, they run eight more in southeastern and eastern Alabama and a ninth in Double Springs.

Slocomb, Abbeville, Hartford, Troy, and OPP operate under the Dalton name, while Dadeville, Headland, Luverne, and Double Springs have different names.

“Running a pharmacy is certainly a challenge,” Tyler admits, pointing to growing government regulations at both state and federal levels. “It’s a tough business right now.”

Yet, like his predecessors, he finds joy in this work.

“We must keep the pharmacist legacy alive in our rural community,” he insists. “It’s vital for those in need of medicine who can’t travel far for prescriptions.”

“And many are struggling to afford medication,” he adds. “What would you say to someone needing a $600 medication when their monthly income is just $800? They must find a way to cope.”

Both Joe and Tyler recognize the difficulties of running a pharmacy today. They navigate customer relationships, regulatory pressures, and insurance obligations while fostering community support.

But they also agree that local pharmacists provide not just convenience, but critical care. “That’s why I am passionate about this work,” Tyler concludes.