THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville Eckerd Drugs that opened a little more than a year ago will close within a couple of months.

Eckerd opened in April 2004 at 2621 E. Pinetree Blvd. in a leased building.

“We’ve made a decision to close underperforming stores, based on sales and performance and prospects for future performances,” said Helen Bisson, Montreal, Canada-based Eckerd spokesman.

Jean Coutu, a Canada company, acquired the Eckerd group in August 2004. U.S. corporate headquarters are in Providence, R.I.

“It’s going to be done within the next couple of months,” Bisson said about the Thomasville closing.

The company is closing 60 to 70 other stores, primarily Eckerds. The firm owns 1,539 Eckerd stores in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic region and south to Georgia.

Bisson said that before closing, Eckerd officials wants to ensure the 13 employees at the Thomasville store have other jobs — with Eckerd or elsewhere.

Michael Sherley, store manager and Quitman resident, said he will transfer to an Eckerd in Valdosta.

Also, Bisson explained, Eckerd wants to give customers time to transfer prescriptions.

“Don’t worry or panic,” she advised Eckerd prescription customers. “If they have questions, they can ask a pharmacist.”

The owner of a nearby business said that when he learned Eckerd was opening a store, other pharmacies in the immediate area came to mind.

The businessman, Joe Fallin, opened a barbecue restaurant across Pinetree in the late 1970s.

The area in which his restaurant, Eckerd, Gateway Shopping Center and many other businesses are located is a regional draw, Fallin explained.

“Every business that opens in the area helps my business, including competition,” he said.

“Any time something shuts down and there is the loss of one or more jobs, it’s a loss, whatever it might be,” Fallin added.



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.