Owl Drug
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pharmaceutical retail, Cosmetics, Fragrances |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Founder | Richard Elgin Miller |
| Fate | Declared bankruptcy in 1932; later acquired by United Drug Stores (Drug, Inc) |
| Successor | United Drug Stores (Drug, Inc) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada (Vancouver) |
Key people | Cecil W. Law (Chairman) |
| Products | Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fragrances, general merchandise |
| Owner | Rexall (subsidiary during 1920s-1940s) |
| Parent | Rexall (during 1920s-1940s) |
The Owl Drug Company was a U.S.-based drugstore chain headquartered in San Francisco, operating the Owl Drug Stores network. At its height during the 1920s through the 1940s, it functioned as a subsidiary under the Rexall brand. Initially focused on pharmaceuticals and pills, the company later broadened its inventory to include cosmetics, fragrances, and various other merchandise.
History
Established in 1892 by Richard Elgin Miller at 1128 Market Street, the Owl Drug Company became well-known for its unique triangular cobalt-blue poison bottles, which were manufactured under contract with the Whitall Tatum Glass Company beginning in 1903. These distinctive bottles, alongside other branded packaging and promotional items, have since become highly sought after by collectors.
In 1910, the main store located at Mission and Sixteenth Streets underwent reconstruction, featuring one of San Francisco’s largest soda fountains, which enhanced its customer experience and retail appeal.
Up until the mid-1920s, Owl Drug procured its products primarily from E. R. Squibb & Sons but terminated this supply relationship following a legal dispute in 1926. In 1929, Elizabeth Winston Todd joined as secretary amid corporate reorganization efforts. That same year, Owl Drug merged with United Drug Stores (Drug, Inc), becoming part of an expanding group of subsidiaries under its parent corporation.
Despite growth efforts, the company encountered financial difficulties; it declared bankruptcy in 1932 amid accusations concerning shareholder fraud and burdensome lease agreements. Legal challenges persisted with a significant 1940 ruling holding Owl Drug negligent following a fire at one of its Los Angeles locations.
Among its prominent leaders was Cecil W. Law, who held the chairman position for over four decades. The company’s staff also included notable personalities such as baseball player Rugger Ardizoia, who worked during off-seasons in the late 1940s.
Owl Drug’s strategy combined pharmaceutical retailing with diversified product offerings and strategic mergers to sustain competitiveness within the industry.
Branches
By 1912, Owl had inaugurated its fourth store in Downtown Los Angeles at Spring and 5th streets. This location featured a contemporary drugstore design with an elegant onyx and German silver soda fountain, a spacious ladies’ waiting area equipped with complimentary telephones, washroom facilities, and a writing desk. The store housed multiple departments including Drugs and Chemicals, Toilet Articles, Perfumes, Patent Medicines, Liquors, Candy, Cigars, Cutlery, Stationery, along with Soda Fountain services.
Further expansion led to additional branches in Los Angeles suburbs such as Hollywood Boulevard at Cahuenga Boulevard (1934) and Wilshire Boulevard at Western Avenue. By the late 1930s, Owl operated numerous outlets nationwide, particularly concentrated in major cities like New York, Chicago, and prominently within the Los Angeles metropolitan region.
In Fresno, California, Owl maintained a presence at the 1000 Fulton Mall Building from 1917 until 1951. In San Diego, the company operated a large store next to the Plaza Hotel. By the early 1940s, Owl had extended operations into Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with a branch located at Nelson Street and Granville Street.
Big Owl
In 1951, Owl introduced the expansive 44,000-square-foot Big Owl supermarket situated at Valley Plaza in North Hollywood. Utilizing comprehensive shopper behavior analysis, Big Owl unveiled an innovative store layout aimed at reducing customers’ walking distances during shopping trips. This concept promoted one-stop shopping by incorporating several stores-in-store such as Van de Kamp's Bakeries, See's Candies, a soda grill, barber services, dry cleaning, watch repair, and gift sales. The facility featured twelve checkout lanes equipped with electric cash registers enabling payment across all departments—a recent technological advancement—and provided nine public entrances. Its parking lot accommodated up to 750 vehicles. Shoppers could watch meat being packed and transported via conveyor belts to refrigerated display cases. Big Owl also boasted what was claimed to be the brightest neon sign west of Chicago. In 1954, ownership transferred to Thriftimart, which rebranded the location as part of their supermarket chain.
Other interests
Operating as a vendor of fragrances and beauty products, the Owl Drug Company organized "Beauty Weeks," which included fashion showcases and beauty pageants evaluated by prominent personalities such as Elinor Glyn. Winners were awarded opportunities to undergo screen tests in Hollywood. These fashion events garnered considerable public interest.
During the mid-1940s, Owl Drug Company sponsored a San Francisco-based baseball team called the Portola Natives or Portola Merchants, which was briefly renamed "The Owl Drugs Juniors." By 1949, the team's sponsorship had transitioned to Theisen Glass Company.
External links
- The Owl Drug Handbook Volumes I and II (Wordpress page no longer available as of 10/19/17)
- Bottledigging.org.uk – forum article
- 3ilaag.com Arabic version