The Rise and Fall of Bartell Drugs: A Seattle Legacy
Bartell Drugs, a name synonymous with Seattle for over a century, holds a special place in the hearts of many residents. Founded in 1890, the drugstore chain grew from a single store in the Central District to a regional powerhouse, becoming an integral part of the city's fabric. However, recent years have brought significant changes, including acquisition by Rite Aid and subsequent store closures, leaving many to reflect on Bartell's history and its impact on the community.
The Early Years: Building a Foundation (1890-1930s)
The story of Bartell Drugs begins with George H. Bartell Sr. (1868-1956), who purchased the Lake Washington Pharmacy at 2711 South Jackson Street in Seattle's Central District in 1890. Living in the back of the store, Bartell dedicated himself to serving the community, working long hours to fill prescriptions.
In the late 1890s, Bartell's decision to offer discount pricing led to conflict with the Retail Druggists' Association of Seattle, also known as the "Seattle Drug Trust." When he refused to raise prices, he was cut off from the area's only supplier. Undeterred, Bartell began buying directly from manufacturers, ultimately prevailing against the Trust.
The business was incorporated as the Bartell Drug Company in 1904. The company continued to expand, opening a second store at 610 Second Avenue in October of that year, referred to as the Red Cross Annex. A third location was opened in 1908 in front of Pike Place Market. Bartell's began assigning numbers to its stores at this time. By the 1920s, Bartell Drugs had 15 stores operating in Seattle.
Bartell's offered a broader array of merchandise by the 1920s, including clocks, cameras, pens, stationery, and exercise equipment. The company proved financially resilient during the Great Depression of the 1930s, adding five new stores in the first half of the decade, as it sold many essentials.
Read also: University of Georgia Sorority Guide
A significant milestone occurred in July 1935 when Bartell leased a site at 401 Pine Street for another new store. The two-story, fireproof building with a marble exterior and non-rusting metal trim, was triangular and soon became known as “the triangle store.” For over half a century, this store served as Bartell Drugs’ flagship location. The store featured a tea room on the top floor and a soda fountain on the first floor.
Mid-Century Challenges and Adaptations (1940s-1970s)
The 1940s brought changes, with George Bartell Jr. joining the company in 1935 and later serving in the Army during World War II. The war and resulting social changes had a notable impact on Bartell’s operations. The 1950s presented new challenges. Parking was limited at many of Bartell’s downtown locations, and the rise of drive-in restaurants began to reduce Bartell’s soda fountain business.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the company closed nearly half of its stores, including six locations between August and October 1961, and by the end of 1961 had only 12 locations still in operation. Only one new store was opened between 1959 and 1973, although several existing stores moved to new locations during this time.
The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair provided a boost in business, as the southern terminus of the newly-built monorail was next to Bartell’s triangle store downtown. By the late 1960s, the company was also working with a new supplier who provided lower prices to Bartell’s for its pharmaceutical and over-the-counter items and had increased its newspaper advertising in order to boost sales.
Expansion and Centennial (1980s-2000s)
By the late 1970s, Bartell Drugs was adding new stores at an increasing pace, and during the 1980s this growth accelerated. Bartell’s opened five new stores in a single day on September 7, 1984, as the result of an acquisition from Shopper’s Drug Mart, including three new locations in Snohomish County. This expansion into Seattle’s suburbs continued through the 1980s, with locations opened in Sammamish in 1987 and in Kent in 1988.
Read also: History of the Block 'M'
On April 1, 1990, George Bartell Jr. stepped down as president and was succeeded by his son, George D. Bartell. Bartell Drugs also celebrated its centennial in 1990 with a year-long celebration. The rapid growth and expansion that the company enjoyed in the 1980s continued through the 1990s, and at the end of 1999 Bartell Drugs had 45 stores in operation. The company’s growth continued during the first decade of the twenty-first century.
Acquisition by Rite Aid and Subsequent Decline (2010s-Present)
Dating back to the Great Recession, Bartell had seen thinning profits, a loss of business to online retailers, and falling reimbursements from insurance companies. On October 7, 2020, the company announced that it would be sold to Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid for $95 million. At the time of the sale, Bartell Drugs had 67 locations in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Rite Aid planned to keep the name.
However, soon after, stores began experiencing pharmacy backups, disrupted deliveries, and low stock. In October 2023, Rite Aid itself filed for bankruptcy to deal with massive debts and liabilities from ongoing opioid-related lawsuits and announced more closures of both Rite Aid and Bartell’s locations. During the company's restructuring, Bartell stores were cut from 67 to 40.
The closure of Bartell Drugs locations has had a significant impact on the community. Many Seattle residents feel a strong sense of nostalgia for the chain, which they view as a local institution. The stores were known for their friendly staff, their support of Northwest companies, and their commitment to the community.
The Bartell Drugs location in Seattle's University District, considered one of Bartell Drugs' flagship stores, closed its doors in the near future. Rite Aid's statement to KOMO News noted that their decision to close a store is not one they ever take lightly.
Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
The "Seattle Way" and the Loss of Local Identity
The decline of Bartell Drugs reflects a broader trend of homogenization in the retail industry, with corporate giants replacing locally owned businesses. Many Seattle residents feel that the acquisition of Bartell's by Rite Aid has led to a loss of the company's unique character and its commitment to the community.
Some argue that Bartell's success was rooted in a "Seattle way" of doing business, characterized by honesty, integrity, and a focus on customer service. This approach, they say, is in contrast to the more profit-driven strategies of national chains.
University Village: A Microcosm of Change
University Village (U-Village), a shopping mall in northeastern Seattle, has also undergone significant changes over the years. While it remains a popular retail destination, the character of the Village has shifted from locally owned boutiques to national retailers.
The Bartell Drugs store in University Village, situated about a mile from the University of Washington (UW), serves a plethora of students. The U-Village Bartells officially closed on January 23, 2025.
tags: #Bartells #University #Village #history
