Leslie’s Drug Store, a family-run pharmacy and Main street institution in Vineyard Haven since 1948, will permanently close at the end of this year, after 72 years in business.
Leslie’s Drug Store, a family-run pharmacy and Main street institution in Vineyard Haven since 1948, will permanently close at the end of this year, after 72 years in business, the owners announced on Thursday.
“At the close of the business day on Dec. 31, 2020, Leslie’s Pharmacy will be closing its doors for good,” co-owner Warren Holmberg wrote in a statement on the store’s Facebook page on Thursday.
In a phone call with the Gazette Friday, Mr. Holmberg said he made the decision to close just a few days ago, due to rising expenses that have made the business unsustainable. The iconic Main street storefront, which is still owned by previous pharmacy owner Leslie Leland, will not be sold, he said.
Owners Donna and Warren Holmberg took over the business in 2003.
Owners Donna and Warren Holmberg took over the business in 2003.
The Vineyard Haven pharmacy has been owned and operated by Mr. Holmberg and his wife, Donna, since October 2003, but the business dates to the mid-20th century, when Frank Leslie first opened the storefront. The local pharmacy quickly became a key community gathering space — complete with a soda fountain — where Islanders came to pick up their prescriptions and touch base with their neighbors.
In 1969, Mr. Leslie’s grandson, Mr. Leland, took over operations at the pharmacy, becoming the youngest business owner on Main street at 29. The store remained in the family for another 40 years, until 2003, when Mr. Leland retired and handed the reins to his longtime employee, Mr. Holmberg.
Since then, Mr. Holmberg and his family have provided care for the customers who come through the door every day, keeping the spirit — and the name — of the original pharmacy alive.
“Our interaction with the customers, is what I will miss more than anything,” Mr. Holmberg said Friday.
The recent decision to close has been a long time in the making for Mr. Holberg, who said he has been trying to sell the business for about a year. With high expenses and less reimbursement from insurance companies each year, keeping the business afloat has been a challenge for a while.
Since the pandemic began, Leslie’s has been offering curbside delivery and recently opened its doors to the public again last week. Though Mr. Holmberg did not cite the pandemic as a leading factor in the closure, he said continuing to support the community while also paying the bills has not been easy.
“Leslie’s makes the bulk of their income from over-the-counter products, taking a hit every day their doors remain shut,” the business wrote on its Facebook page this summer. “Small town, family-owned small pharmacies provide the kind of personal care that is so essential when dealing with the dangers and complexities of drug interactions.”
In July, Mr. Holmberg’s son, David, organized a GoFundMe campaign that raised about $36,000 of its $50,000 target through community contributions, but the additional support was not enough to keep the doors open long-term.
Reflecting on his 30 years running the business, Mr. Holmberg emphasized the contributions of his staff. “I would like to thank my fantastic family and staff (who are considered family to us). Their efforts have been beyond incredible and certainly undeserving of this ending,” he wrote in his statement.
He also praised the community for their unwavering support. “I really want to thank our extremely loyal customers,” Mr. Holmberg wrote. “You have supported my family and I for the past 17 years that we have owned the business. Your support is only exceeded by your generosity towards us!”
Comments
First the dental practice at
BS Oak BluffsFirst the dental practice at the hospital, now Leslie’s pharmacy—just a few more victims of our profit seeking healthcare system!
Funny to hear this from you,
Islander Martha’s VineyardFunny to hear this from you, BS, but the truth is that a horribly managed pandemic has created circumstances where local American businesses have not been able to survive the crisis. It’s not really the healthcare system, which indeed needs to be fixed, we agree, but the lack of day-to-day business.
Islander,
BS Oak BluffsIslander,
Did you read the explanation provided by the Holmbergs about the way the insurance companies and intermediaries function with respect to reimbursing Leslie’s for the cost of prescriptions? Also what say you about the hospital bemoaning the reduced rates of emergency room visits over the last several months aka the big money ($$$) maker given that the hospital can legally (?!?) charge twice for the same services.
This is tragic. That’s two
Shelley EdgartownThis is tragic. That’s two important business reported closing in the last few weeks. Do people still think the shut down is worth it?
Sorry to see them go yet just
Brian Smith OAK BLUFFSSorry to see them go yet just like Educomp they didn't open their doors even when it was safe to do so. You can't expect to remain viable as a retail store when you don't allow customers in to shop.
Without a doubt this is a
Milton Friedman Vineyard HavenWithout a doubt this is a loss for the island. However, all businesses need to be able to adapt to changes in market conditions and Leslie’s is no exception. Unfortunately COVID is not the reason for their struggles, but it was likely the nail in the coffin. Without a doubt, Warren has helped countless islanders and visitors over the past two decades, and we are all profoundly grateful. But businesses are not charities; they must adapt in whatever way possible to survive, and thrive. It will be disappointing to see yet another empty storefront on Main Street in VH. And Warren certainly will be missed. Thank you for all your help over the years.
A loss for the community. Our
MW EdgartownA loss for the community. Our family has patronized this fine pharmacy for decades and will surely and sorely miss these good people.
Let us not forget other
Island Girl IslandLet us not forget other businesses -- big and small -- which are closing: Little Leona's pets, another long term company whose name I cannot remember and then the giant loss: EDUCOMP. As we see a large influx of needy new residents we are experiencing the loss of our old favorites -- the ones which sell basics and necessities. This will leave us with only fluff and glitz, alas.
I feel so awful about this.
Ray Whitaker Oak BluffsI feel so awful about this. The Holmberg family is one of those families that gives you faith in humanity. There has never been a moment when they - or anyone that worked for them - was ever surly or rude.
ALWAYS A SMILE! ALWAYS AN ACCOMMODATION
Looks like it's CVS on-line ordering from now on. The other pharmacies fall way short when it comes to The Holmberg's people skills.
Much Love and Thanks to Warren, Donna, David & the rest of their crew!!!
Hate to see another staple of
Elizabeth EdgartownHate to see another staple of our island Main Streets closing. Once we lose these iconic store fronts, we are at risk of jeopardizing the character of the island we love. It is a herculean task for the elected officials to manage, and there needs to be a thoughtful plan put in place that carries substantial subsidies from the island wealth that may be positioned to tap resources they have to make introductions for potential grant approvals, fund raising and a
ny other networking resources we can all leverage for one another. It's a slippery slope that may lead to bringing in chains and turning the island into what the mainland Cape became.
THANK YOU LESLIES'.GOD BLESS
GODSPAL MVTHANK YOU LESLIES'.GOD BLESS YOU ALL ALWAYS!
so very sad to see this
Judee vineyard havenso very sad to see this happen. you have truly been a staple for all.
Sorry to see this business is
Joy Mondeau Lovell BridgewaterSorry to see this business is closing. Frank Leslie ran a pharmacy in my hometown of East Bridgewater before going to MV. In a small community I knew his grandchildren growing up. Little did I know my son would eventually move to MV and allow me the chance to visit often. Now my grandchildren will need to find a new place for their pharmaceutical needs. Covid hasn't helped many businesses stay in business. Nice store and will be missed.
Every one that chooses to buy
fact checker mvEvery one that chooses to buy from online retailers contributes to this sad situation. The next time you order products from Amazon, Walmart, or CVS for delivery it puts a nail in the coffin of a local business. it Its always a loss to see a local owned business shut the doors.
Going back to the 1940s, if
Bob OBGoing back to the 1940s, if memory serves, what became Leslie’s was then owned and I believe founded by George Yates & family. At that time, Yates’ Pharmacy was the only game on-island, and by their services and breadth of products Yates’ set the standard for the owners and name-changes that followed.
The article makes it sound as if that marvelous business was established in 1948. Can that be true, given the Yates’ ownership for many years?
I'm pretty sure Yates'
Sara Piazza EdgartownI'm pretty sure Yates' pharmacy and soda fountain was in the building across from the old bowl and board. It was a huge treat for this Edgartown girl to go to Vineyard Haven and stop in at Yates'to intermingle with the VH kids, gathered their for their after-school Coke and chips.
Grew up in Tisbury. Yates
Mel Oak BluffsGrew up in Tisbury. Yates Drug store was the place to go after school let out. Mr. Cryer and Mr. Yates. Loved getting vanilla cokes and chips. Great memories.
Yates drugstore was on the
Kathleen Tilton ChilmarkYates drugstore was on the other side of the street where a tee shirt shop is now. Soft as a grape? Before Yates it was Tiltons drugstore, built by my great great grandfather for one of his sons.
I am so sad to see Leslies go. Vineyard Haven main st used to be the year round place to shop. It had everything we needed , banks groceries, 5+ 10 store,, hardware, paper store,[ I can still smell the combo of newspapers and bubble gum in Vincent’s paper store] clothing stores carrying just about everything you needed. A Main Street for the townspeople, not catering to what we believed tourist wanted.
Over the decades I had
Lorraine EdgartownOver the decades I had shopped at Leslie's but as I aged it was more difficult to get in my little four door sedan, fight the traffic to V H and fight the huge, aggressively driven SUV's to find a parking space within walking distance for aged legs and feet. Shopping has changed and will change more and that is simply a fact. We cannot change it as it appears the majority of people prefer the changing ways. Regrets? I've had a few....fighting traffic is not one of them.
Love Leslie’s. Such a solid
Tim Bross Kirkwood, Mo.Love Leslie’s. Such a solid place. Apropos of nothing, wasn’t Mr. Leslie a foreman on a Teddy Kennedy grand jury or inquest?
Les Leland, the previous
Paul DanieleLes Leland, the previous owner of Leslies, was the foreman on the Kennedy grand jury.
They were always very nice
jane piore gilman chilmark and NJThey were always very nice and pleasant. (Going there summers since 1950) They will be missed.
Everyone talks about "local"
Carol Vineyard HavenEveryone talks about "local" and "sustainable" - but people don't actually make the commitment to do this. Local businesses would survive if local people were willing to spend a few more pennies and a few more minutes shopping locally. Another example of Vineyarders not being willing to "eat their own cooking".
Carol, where do you draw the
Vineyarders willing to give Vineyard HavenCarol, where do you draw the line? People do make the commitment and the Vineyard is the quintessential commercial for shop local and don't get me started on how we all pay more than a few pennies to shop locally. Look at us supporting Cronig's. Where do you draw the line. Maybe this is just his retirement and all the stars aligned?
Thank you for always making
Gina Vineyard havenThank you for always making it a pleasurable experience . Your customer service will be missed !
Not an Islander myself, but
Andrew Theokas BostonNot an Islander myself, but have had countless stays there over the years. Each time, I made it a point to visit Leslie's whether or not I needed anything. The real reason I wanted to go there is that it was not a CVS or Walgreens or any other cookie cutter environment that we are more and more restricted to. The Island has long resisted the corporatization of its Main Streets. This seems to be a losing battle.
Wow, sadness and shock. I was
Beth EdgartownWow, sadness and shock. I was 18yrs old (1989) when I moved here. Tisbury traffic cop my first summer, there were 3 pharmacies on Main Street. Yate’s (by Amelia Bloomers) another next to Rainy Day and Leslie’s(Fitzy moved down to Leslie’s, when they closed)..... now we have 2 on the entire island?!
I have been coming to the
Anna CaliforniaI have been coming to the island on a yearly visit during the fall for almost two decades. I made sure to make my way to the drug store for a visit. I will for sure miss not seeing Leslie’s walking up and down Main Street. I was so happy to find one product that I don’t see in the stores nearby me so I grabbed what was left in the shelf last September 2019. Because of Covid we cancelled our 2020 trip. Sad to know that was my last visit to the drug store and like so many other things with our own lives has changed due to the pandemic. Please stay safe.
Sorry to see them go…thank you for the memories.
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