In 1951, Jim Lukes opened Lukes Drug Mart in the Bridgeland neighbourhood, making it Calgary’s first private pharmacy. From its inception, it was a family-run business that grew over decades to meet the needs of the community. After Jim, the pharmacy was managed by his son and later his grandson. Read on at icalgary to learn about the unique ways they developed the pharmacy and enhanced its reputation. More on icalgary.net.
A Unique Pharmacy
Lukes Drug Mart is not your typical pharmacy. It emphasizes supporting local brands, artists, and the community. Alongside a conventional pharmacy counter and shelves stocked with medications and shampoos, the store features a vinyl section with records, vintage typewriters, home-brewing kits, and other unusual items.
This versatility has roots in the pharmacy’s early days. When Lukes Drug Mart opened its doors in 1951, Bridgeland was a marginal neighbourhood, far from its current status as a trendy hub. Jim Lukes filled relatively few prescriptions, leaving him ample time to engage in other activities at work. He decided to add a sandwich counter.
In 1985, Jim’s son Bob took over the business. Although trained as a pharmacist, Bob’s primary education was in accounting. He attempted to attract customers through competitive pricing, a tactic successfully employed by retail giants like Walmart and the Canadian pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart.
Expansion and Introduction of Niche Brands
Bob’s son, Gareth, joined the pharmacy and affiliated it with the Guardian pharmacy group, which enabled it to supply pharmaceutical drugs. Under Gareth’s leadership, Lukes Drug Mart expanded. He opened a small satellite pharmacy in a medical clinic on Edmonton Trail and another in the southwest Killarney neighbourhood, modeled after the original Bridgeland store.
Gareth introduced a variety of non-traditional products to the pharmacy, including headphones, hipster-style stationery, greeting cards, notebooks, art prints, clay masks, gift items, soy candles, thermoses, and vinyl records. His goal was to allocate 70% of the store’s space to traditional pharmacy goods and 30% to niche products.
These experiments, while unconventional, were in some ways a continuation of his grandfather’s approach. Gareth even created his version of the sandwich counter at the Bridgeland location by offering high-quality, premium coffee.
Gareth also opened a small café in Calgary’s Central Library and another in Vancouver’s Chinatown. In an interview, he admitted that his grandfather and father initially thought he was crazy and did not fully support the idea of coffee counters. However, they eventually saw an increase in sales and profits. Gareth also started making Lukes Drug Mart’s signature ice cream in various flavours.
Interestingly, Gareth doesn’t look like a typical pharmacy owner. Tall with dark hair, he resembles a musician more than a pharmacist. This isn’t surprising, given his background in the music scene, where he worked as a show promoter and band manager.
A Welcoming Community Hub
Lukes Drug Mart is a welcoming place where staff know customers by name and are always ready to help. The pharmacy is committed to promoting health and comfort with the highest level of professionalism. It is more than just a full-service pharmacy; it’s also a post office, a coffee shop, and a general store selling everyday items and luxury goods that can brighten anyone’s day.