Pitt Street Pharmacy Takes Us Back to a Simpler Time

Story and Photography by Mark A. Leon

We live in a different time, a post 9/11 time, where skepticism and fear play in the back of our minds.  Apps track the activity of your children, cars are made with more safety features than ever before, schools require ID to enter and cyber stalking and bullying is an every day issue.  We live in a different time.  Life wasn’t always that way.  There was a time when kids would go to the malt shop for a shake and fries and flirt playfully across the counter, curfews were understood, not enforced and youth was about candy, crushes and football games.

There was a time, when safety and crime were reference points in a history book and reserved only for the “big city”.  Small town Americe and suburbs led a life of simplicity and comfort.  Every store was your own personal Cheers where everyone knew your name and knew your family.  It was always about community.  Neighbors helping neighbors and everyone had an open door.

In the heart of old Mount Pleasant, there is still such a place.  Since 1938, residents of Mount Pleasant has entered this small intimate family pharmacy for drugs, supplies, toys, advice, soda pop, milkshakes and burgers.  Before school, after school, a mid day snack or a toothache, Pitt Street Pharmacy has been the neighborhood stop for generations.

Today, that small town family friendly appeal remains where you can get coffee for 50 cents, a large milkshake with real ice cream for $3.25 or an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich for $2.50.  It is a place where the traditional values of medicine and family remain.

Let’s walk together on these checkered tiles and for a moment remember those simpler, safer times when community, strong morals and smiles were they way we lived.

Welcome to Pitt Street Pharmacy

Would you like a seat at the counter?

Maybe you want to etch the name of your sweetheart in the counter top.

Hope you brought spare change. You won’t need much more.

How about an old fashioned soda pop for $1.25

Gumdrops or hard candy to compliment

Maybe jelly beans are more your speed

Look at the old Campbell’s Soup display

Or the classic burger and fries

Coca Cola is timeless

The owners support local teams and businesses but they are very Clemson

Should pick up school supplies while I am here

And homemade jam

The simplicity of the drug section. So easy to find what I need

Original industrialized ingenuity

Wonderful display of old pharmacy memorabilia

If you have never experienced Pitt Street Pharmacy, come for the milkshake and burger, but stay for the ambiance and experience of it all.