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- Common Sense
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Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
Have you ever been to Hinkle's in Columbia? It's closing very soon. Another meeting place for local folks gone.
Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
A longtime Columbia Borough pharmacy announced that they would close at the end of the month, according to a story in LancasterOnline.Hinkle's Pharmacy has been in business for 124 years, but will close Oct. 25.
The pharmacy, with its restaurant, has 71 employees who will lose their jobs. John Hinkle III, fourth-generation owner of Hinkle’s, blamed its “declining financial position over the past several years.”
Hinkle’s was founded in 1893 by Samuel Hinkle on the corner of Third and Locust streets in Columbia.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,” former vice president Biden said during a campaign event in Texas on Monday. "All men and women created by — you know, you know, the thing.”
- Just Fred
- Duke of Cortona
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Re: Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
Love the sign .............. "Drugs - Candy - Cigars". What's not to love?
- tennyson
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Re: Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
Just a warning .... since Hinkles is closing permanently on Oct 25th there are many trying to get in last visits. We went there yesterday at noon for lunch with out kids and the line was prohibitive (also not able to sit larger groups together either). So best if you can do an off hours visit for sure. We have eaten there a number of times over the years because for this day and age it was still a unique experience reminence of the old eating venues in different 5&10 cent stores (for people that can remember them).
We may stop over just ourselves before it finally closes just for old times.
As an aside, if ever in Columbia and want a great cheesesteak, then go to Smith Hotel at 1030 Lancaster Ave (RTE 462). They are the best. The place is an old hotel that is now a bar/restaurant. Nothing special but great cheesesteaks (they call them Smithsteaks). That's where we wound up.
BTW, Fred the building is much more modern now than in the first post. 
"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
- Tarnation
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Re: Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
With the revitalization of Columbia as a haven for antiquers, it seems strange that an "antique" pharmacy/general store would not be able to thrive.
Perhaps the owners lacked the imagination to rebrand...or return to its vintage roots.
Life is an Orthros.
- tennyson
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Re: Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
Tarnation wrote:
With the revitalization of Columbia as a haven for antiquers, it seems strange that an "antique" pharmacy/general store would not be able to thrive.
Perhaps the owners lacked the imagination to rebrand...or return to its vintage roots.
The interior pretty much stayed the same for many years. I expect that the pharmacy business and perhaps the owners age were major factors. On the pharmacy end with competition from CVS, Walgreens, etc there was likely continued $$ squeze on the bottom line. I imagine the general store/lunch counter were money makers but not enough to make a difference.
It will be nice if someone enterprising group keeps the lunch counter open and replaces the pharmacy / general store portion with something of more of a draw and perhaps integrating with the antique theme in the area. At least we can hope. Some of the people in the current store have worked there for years.
"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
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Re: Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
Such a shame that a long-time local establishment is closing. Tennyson is probably correct that it was the pharmacy side that was not profitable, scales of economy make it almost impossible to compete with the big chain companies. It was sad when Loyer's closed in Red Lion.
- Tarnation
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Re: Hinkle's Pharmacy, Columbia landmark for 124 years is closing
Some of the people in the current store have worked there for years.
Too often it seems that employee longevity and employer loyalty are mutually exclusive.
Life is an Orthros.
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