Fruth Pharmacy celebrates 70 years in business
Fruth Pharmacy is celebrating its 70 years of successfully being in business.
The company has seen it all during the timespan, including opening new stores, salvaging store remnants through fire and floods, and facing the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic head-on.
Jack Fruth left a budding military career at Greenbriar Military Academy when he lost his sight due to measles and pneumonia. After an experimental procedure at the time, he regained partial vision. No longer eligible to serve in the military, he set out to embark in a career as a pharmacist.
Losing his sight turned Fruth’s path in a new direction. He attended the Ohio State School of Pharmacy, got married and welcomed five children who have all actively taken part in growing the family business.
“When you were tall enough to reach the counter standing on a block, you were able to help by working the cash register,” said Joan Fruth, who currently serves as special projects coordinator.
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Jack Fruth, an active community member, helped local businesses, supported community projects and even set up scholarships for college-bound students. By celebrating how long Fruth Pharmacy has been in business, the pharmacy also recognizes the communities it serves, the company said.
“Fruth Pharmacy continues its active role in community projects today,” said Lynne Fruth, president and chairman of the board. “Helping members of our community as we are able, stays a driving force for our business. We believe our success comes from the support our customers and employees give us. We simply do our best to return that support.”
Following in her father’s footsteps Lynne has continued her father’s legacy. One of the special contributions she has brought forward is the Bridge of Hope Fund. The fund is set up to help those in addiction recovery set up a college education and find their way back into the workforce and community.
“Education was important to my parents. We wish to help those with educational goals achieve degrees for a successful future,” she said.
[Read more: Watch DSN: Lynne Fruth highlights Fruth Pharmacy's commitment to West Virginia patients]
Lynne Fruth and her support team led the way through the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up testing sites and meeting with community members to help ease the minds of those who were searching for ways to assess the pandemic, the company noted.
“Dad believed in helping others and doing what you love. I became a pharmacist myself, not because that is what he wanted, but it was something I had grown to love. He enjoyed helping others and serving the public. A pharmacist gets to interact with the patient in many ways. Many times, the pharmacist becomes the patient’s most valuable healthcare source of information,” said Mike Fruth.
At this moment, Fruth Pharmacy currently operated 29 stores across Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.
“I don’t think dad had any idea when he started his first store on Jackson Avenue in Point Pleasant, that 70 years later our company would continue to serve the community in Point Pleasant as well as 28 other communities,” said Lynne Fruth.
Currently, in a time where many families and businesses are struggling due to the chaotic economy, Fruth Pharmacy continues to support local charities and show customers and employees appreciation by hosting events and giving away gifts and prizes.
What do the next 70 years have in store for Fruth Pharmacy? “We are going to continue to serve our communities. We will strive to hold up the ideals that my father proven in 1952. Treat customers and employees with respect, and always do the right thing,” Lynne Fruth said.