The Savannah Pharmacy

Survival is the key, as the oldest blackdrug store in the nation Savannah Pharmacy had to survive through relocation, urban renewal, and crime for 93 years of it existence. Built to serve and help the community, the Savannah Pharmacy has owned its place as the second oldest existing store in Savannah. Earl Fonvielle in 1914 opened the store during a time when African Americans were developing a strong sense of economic empowerment. Mr. Fonvielle still owns the pharmacy today. Due to urban renewal Mr. Fonvielle was forced to relocate his shop to 916 Martin Luther King Boulevard in 1963. The Fonvielle family was offered $15,000 to commensation, the cause for relocation was to free up land for public housing and to improve traffic. During the 1950ís there were four locations through out the city two on West Broad Street, and the others on the Westside. Over the years the other pharmacies underwent names changes, from the Boaenís Pharamcy, to Savannah Pharmacy, to Knights Drug Store, to Sundries Corridum. The original Savannah Pharmacy has been located on MLK Street for 30 years, and is one out five remaining black owned business on MLK Street. The owner credits his durability to loyal and long time customers, however he claims the crime increase of the 1990ís has plagued many stores even his own in the area. Despite the crime decrease the crime provoked image still shadows the area discouraging people from using the shop. Sadly to envision the store might be ready to close its doors this up coming March.