Kerr Drug

Kerr Drug

File:Kerr Drug Logo.png
File:2008-09-30 Kerr Drug with Kerr Cafe in Hillsborough, NC.jpg A Kerr Drug location in Hillsborough
Company type	Drug Store
Predecessor	Kerr Drug
Founded	1951
Founder	Banks Kerr
Defunct	2013
Fate	Integrated into Walgreens
Successor	Walgreens
Headquarters	Raleigh, NC , United States
Number of locations	76
Area served	North Carolina
Products	Premier
Owner	Walgreens

Kerr Drug was a pharmacy chain operating across North Carolina with its corporate headquarters based in Raleigh, North Carolina. On September 10, 2013, it was announced that Walgreens had acquired Kerr.

Throughout its history, Kerr Drug earned recognition for its innovative approach and commitment to community-focused clinical pharmacy services. The company frequently collaborated with local medical professionals and academic institutions to provide clinical offerings that emphasized patient care beyond just dispensing prescriptions.

History

Established by Banks Kerr in 1951, the company’s origins trace back to its founder who graduated as valedictorian from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy. The inaugural store was situated within the University Mall in Chapel Hill.

In January 1995, the chain consisting of 97 locations was purchased by Thrift Drug, a subsidiary of JCPenney. Subsequently, when JCPenney sought to acquire Eckerd Drug, the FTC mandated the divestiture of 161 stores across North and South Carolina. These outlets were acquired by New Kerr Drug, an entity formed by Thrift's former president.

In recognition of Banks Kerr’s contributions, UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Pharmacy named Banks D. Kerr Hall in his honor in 2002.

By May 2009, Kerr divested its eleven Charleston-area stores in South Carolina to CVS to concentrate on its core market within North Carolina. This transaction reduced its footprint to ninety stores. Concurrently, the company launched Naturally Kerr—a store-within-a-store concept focusing on natural, homeopathic, and organic health and food products—initially rolled out in Raleigh and Asheville. The success of this initiative led to the announcement of a third Naturally Kerr location in Chapel Hill by August. By the following year, the chain operated three dedicated health care centers alongside ten clinical service hubs.

In a $173 million deal finalized in 2013, Walgreens acquired all remaining seventy-six Kerr Drug outlets along with its distribution facility. Notably excluded from this transaction was Kerr’s long-term care pharmacy segment. Following the acquisition, Walgreens shuttered twenty locations and rebranded the remainder under its own banner. The former headquarters in Raleigh ceased operations in August 2014.

External links

• Kerr Drug Official Website