‘American Pickers’ star Mike Wolfe scores a unique piece in 100-year-old Indiana pharmacy
OHIO, INDIANA: In the riveting Episode 8 of 'American Pickers' Season 25, the dynamic duo is at it again! This time, the plot thickens as Mike Wolfe receives an unexpected call from none other than his co-star, Danielle Colby, setting the stage for an exhilarating adventure. During their phone call, Danielle cuts to the chase, asking Mike, "Hey, where are you right now?" to which he casually responds, "I'm headed to Ohio. What's going on?"
Danielle spills the beans, revealing, "Okay. I just got a lead in Indiana, and it's right on your way to Ohio. I've been talking to a lady named Gaye, and she works for a guy named Bobby who owns this pharmacy that has been in his family for over 100 years." She continues, "And Bobby is the pharmacist and Gaye is the pharmacy tech. Now she has been helping Bobby clear the attic and they have found a ton of old pharmacy stuff. Counters, bottles, shelves, early pharmacy advertising. So Bobby's kids aren't really interested in this stuff and since it's an operating business they need to clear out some space." Without missing a beat, Mike Wolfe responds, "Alright, I'm there. Send me the address."
Upon arriving at the pharmacy, Bobby graciously offers Mike a tour of the drugstore. During the exploration, Mike shares his insight, suggesting that this place might have served as a retail store in its distant past. In a captivating turn of events, Mike stumbles upon an old Rexall art piece showcasing a picture of a girl. Intrigued by its historical charm, he decides to make a purchase, negotiating a deal with the owner of the Indiana Pharmacy for $250.
‘American Pickers’ star Mike Wolfe looks for valuable items in Indiana pharmacy
Mike interacted with Gaye, inquiring about old bottles, counters, and various artifacts. He asked her, "How long have you been here?" Gaye replied, "I have been here for the last 30 years. This business has been here since about 1919." Mike chimed in, "Really? In this location?" Meanwhile, Gaye responded, "Yes."
The 'American Pickers' star added, "The most valuable aspect of any business, beyond its location and the products it sells, is the people that work there." Wolfe remained curious, eager to uncover valuable items within the pharmacy.
Who is the owner of the Indiana pharmacy?
Mike delved deeper into the history of the Indiana Pharmacy with Bobby. In a confessional, Bobby shared, "It all started with GA Triplett, who purchased this pharmacy in 1919. His son Earl joined around 1950." Bobby disclosed that his dad became part of the pharmacy in 1952. As the years rolled on, Bobby and his father took ownership of the pharmacy in 1975, marking a significant chapter in its longstanding history.
What is Rexall known for?
Rexall was a widely recognized chain of drugstores in the United States that also marketed its own branded products. The company originated in 1903 as a part of United Drug Stores and subsequently granted licenses for the Rexall brand to numerous other drugstores throughout the nation. The name 'Rex' derived from the founder's name, Ellen M. Regis, who developed 'Rexall remedies' and sold the trademark to the company.
In 1903, Louis K Liggett successfully persuaded 40 individual drug stores to invest in a cooperative known as United Drug Stores. This cooperative marketed products under the Rexall brand. Following World War I, the cooperative extended the privilege for independent retail stores to utilize the Rexall name and retail Rexall products. The company had its headquarters in Boston, which is the current location of Northeastern University.
'American Pickers' Season 25 new episodes air every Wednesday 9 pm ET on History Channel.