John Larsen, March of 1989.
At a time when most people were making their living farming and ranching on the vast openness of sparsely populated prairies in North Dakota, John Larsen was creating his legacy in pharmacy. In 1952, he opened Larsen Service Drug situated in the heart of Watford City on a cozy corner of Main Street. Back then Joan Crawford was the iconic figure modeling Lustre crème shampoos and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was the hit television sitcom. Gas was just 20 cents a gallon and every woman swooned at the sight of Marlon Brando or Gary Cooper.
But Larsen’s history in the drug store business began before 1952. His story began many years before that in Hope, North Dakota where he opened his first drug store. However, when the doctor closed up shop, so did he, packing up his family and making a fresh start in Watford City. He brought with him a 1935 Carbonic Soda Fountain from the original store, which became the focal point of his new business. Today, the functional, old-fashioned soda fountain, echoes a nostalgic thump of the heartbeat of life from way back when. His wife of over 50 years, Katherine, recalls Friday nights spent serving up malts and sodas to folks in town going to movies and dances. Back then, a cup of cold, sweet liquid cost just five cents.
Today the fountain still creates a stir with older folks who enjoy sips of soda, reminiscent of bygone days while youth enjoy a bit of history far removed from their world of technological games and obsessive texting.
As a kid, John’s son Larry worked with his dad starting at the age of seven helping serve coffee and drinks from the fountain machine and washing dishes. My favorite soda flavor was always Nesbit’s orange. It was the kind that had real pulp,” Larry recalled.
Together John and Katherine raised their four children, Larry, Laurie, Lyle and Lisa.
Today, Larry owns the store whose patrons have ensured its survival through two generations, with a third generation of family members ready to step in and follow in the family business. In 1983, Larry and his wife, Debbie, returned to Watford City, and father and son went into business together. That was the same year he graduated from NDSU’s Pharmacy School. As young newly-weds they began working and raising their own family which eventually included four children of their own; Michelle, Jenna, Christopher and Sean.
The love of pharmacy has also taken root in John’s two granddaughters, Michelle, a pharmacist, and Jenna who is soon to graduate from her dad’s alma mater.
“People had a lot of respect for my dad. They thought a lot of him. That is part of what inspired me to follow in his footsteps and carry on with the family business. I think he would be very proud today to know his granddaughters are also carrying on the tradition,” Larry said.
Three generations of employees, family, and loyal customers have kept the business thriving. For nearly 40 years, John ran the store with Iona Lawlar, the red-haired lady often referred to as “grandma.” Multiple family members of both John and Iona have worked in the store through the years, and as Larry took over the store from John, Iona’s daughter-in-law, Shirlene, took over managing the store for them.
On Nov. 29, an anniversary celebration open house is taking place from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with drawings for 60 door prizes, as well as gifts, goodies and a soda fountain treat.
Just as the years have changed the faces of the patrons who frequent the store for their drug, hygiene and knick-knack needs, the building’s façade and the products themselves too have changed. However, since opening, there are two products that can still be purchased from the shelves; chocolate covered cherries and fragrances by Coty.
In 1953 John added a clinic site next door to the store where McKenzie County Memorial Hospital provided patients with immunizations and health care. Those services continued at that site until 1988 when the hospital constructed their own patient’s clinic. Freeing up all of that space, today, the drug store is twice as large as it was when it opened. Customers are able to purchase everything from candles and gifts to hair care products and jewelry.
Over the past 60 years technology has changed the day to day business at the store with Larry embracing these advancements. Early in the computer age, he purchased one to help him keep track of patient profiles, medications and drug-to-drug interactions. More recently, he has added a pharmacy “robot” to assist in filling prescriptions, text-messaging to let patients know their prescriptions are ready and internet and smart-phone refill ordering.
In 2003 they expanded and opened a second site located on Main Street in New Town, N.D., a town which had seen its only drug store close a few years prior.
“Throughout the years we have seen three and four generations of customers. This community has always been supportive of its local businesses. That was part of what made us want to return to the area and continue the business and raise our children here,” Larry said.
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