How the scope of Guerin’s Pharmacy has expanded more than a century

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Sitting on South Main Street is the Town of Summerville’s longest-running business.

Guerin’s Pharmacy has served the town for more than a century.

“This pharmacy was started in 1871. It was started by a gentleman who was a doctor in the Civil War and when he came home, this is what he started, a business like this,” said owner Barbara Dunning.

For generations, Guerin’s Pharmacy has been famous for its sweet treats and hot dogs along with taking the stress out of filling your prescriptions.

“We are the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina that has been operated as a pharmacy continuously,” said Dunning.

The business has been sitting near the corner of Hutchinson Square for over 150 years.

“It’s nice to be that old, but I’m not old, but it’s nice to have the history,” shared Dunning, the third generation in her family at the pharmacy.

“My great-uncle bought the business from the son of the original owner. He worked for them and then my father came. He worked in Charleston for a little bit and then he came back home and came to work for my uncle and when my uncle passed away, my father bought the business from his family and then there’s me,” explained Dunning.

She says it’s the people, employees, and customers in the community that she enjoys serving in Summerville.

“I like the nostalgia, but I really love the people,” said Dunning.

In an area that’s growing leaps and bounds, Guerin’s Pharmacy takes you back in time with over a century of history sitting on its shelves.

“A lot of new people and they come from bigger cities, and they don’t have that small town feeling and they just love it and that is a nice feeling to be able to offer that to customers,” shared Dunning.