Butt Drugs
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| Company type | Pharmacy |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1952 |
| Founder | William H. Butt |
| Defunct | 2023 |
Area served | Corydon, Indiana, U.S. |
Butt Drugs was a pharmacy based in Corydon, Indiana, United States. Established in 1952 by William H. Butt, the business remained operational until 2023. The store was recognized for its distinctive name, functioning soda fountain, and customer service. It attracted additional publicity in 2010 when YouTube creators Rhett & Link produced a commercial featuring the store. After experiencing a prolonged decline in revenue, the pharmacy closed its doors in 2023.
History
The drugstore was launched by William H. Butt in 1952 under the name William H. Butt Drugs, later rebranded as Butt Rexall. It was situated at 115 East Chestnut Street in downtown Corydon, Indiana. By 1998, the pharmacy operated under the Valu-Rite franchise and had recently undergone renovations. Ownership transferred to William Butt’s granddaughter, Katie Butt Beckort, in 2001; she had worked at the store for several years before acquiring it.
Butt Drugs became a local landmark in Corydon partly due to its memorable name. It maintained a working soda fountain and served coffee at 35 cents per cup to customers. The store also provided curbside prescription delivery directly to patrons’ vehicles. A 2019 feature by WCPO highlighted the pharmacy’s emphasis on family-oriented service and its role as a community cornerstone. The business sold branded merchandise playing on its name, including T-shirts with slogans like "I love Butt Drugs" and fanny packs, which were also available online. The owners extended this branding humor by naming their liquor section Butt Liquors and promoting complimentary parking at the rear of the building.
In 2010, YouTube duo Rhett & Link brought renewed attention to the pharmacy by filming a promotional commercial as part of their series supporting small local businesses. The advertisement showcased them singing a jingle about Butt Drugs alongside footage of employees and customers. Initially skeptical about the suggestion from a fan to feature the store, they visited Corydon and deemed it an appropriate subject for their project. Following the video’s viral success, sales of the store’s T-shirts surged significantly. The commercial also received exposure on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and through endorsements by personalities such as Howard Stern.
Despite this boost in visibility, Butt Drugs faced ongoing financial challenges that led to its closure in May 2023. Customers’ prescriptions were transferred to the local CVS. After shutting down, the iconic soda fountain was relocated and reinstalled at 1819 General Store in nearby Elizabeth, Indiana.