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Bartell Drugs company history timeline

1897

In 1897 Bartell hired an assistant, A. E. Casey, but accounts differ on whether he hired Casey to help him with his workload or to run the store while he went to the Yukon to join in the Klondike Gold Rush, which commenced in July 1897.

1898

In the latter part of 1898 his plan was put into action with the opening of a second drugstore called Bartell’s Owl Drug Store at 506 Second Avenue.

1900

In 1900 Bartell sold the original Lake Washington Pharmacy to an associate, Bert Weed, and focused his efforts on the downtown store.

1906

Bartell candy factory, 1906 Boren Avenue, Seattle, ca.

1908

In October 1908 Bartell opened a third store on the southwest corner of 1st Avenue and Pike Street, next to the entrance to Pike Place Market.

1913

Seattle waterfront in 1913

1921

8, and Pioneer Dentists, 95 Yesler Way, Seattle, 1921

1930

Bartell Drugs store interior, 1930

By 1930 Bartell Drugs was selling a ton of candy daily.

Leo Lassen, a Seattle Star reporter who went on to become a legendary baseball radio announcer in the Emerald City, described Bartell in his prime in a 1930 article for the Star:

1935

In 1935 George Bartell Jr. joined Bartell Drugs as a warehouseman.

1939

In 1939, George Sr., handed the reins to his son, George H. Bartell, Jr., who led the company for 50 years.

Over the next 41 years, until his son took over the company in 1939, George H. Bartell Sr. would open 18 stores.

1942

Grand opening of a 1942 grocery store

1954

Video of Dick’s Drive-In after 1954 opening

1956

Lifetime of Leadership Recognized In March of 1956, after a brief illness, George H. Bartell Sr. passed away at age 87, ending a 66-year career of founding and building the Bartell Drug Company.

By 1956 Bartell Drugs had 23 stores operating in the greater Seattle area, and the company also did a brisk mail-order business, receiving orders from as far away as Sweden, Turkey, and India.

1965

In 1965 the company promoted Bellevue store manager Val Storrs to Operations Manager and Ballard store manager Gordon O'Reilly to Merchandise Manager.

1966

But the new store that did open was a noteworthy one: In October 1966 the company opened a Bartell Drugs in Edmonds, making it the first Bartell store in Snohomish County.

1988

George D. Bartell and George Bartell Jr. (r.), Seattle, 1988

1990

In 1990, George D. Bartell – grandson of our founder – became chairman and CEO of Bartell Drugs, while his sister Jean (Bartell) Barber serves as vice chairman and treasurer.

1992

George D. Bartell, Seattle, 1992

1995

In 1995 Bartell Drugs also opened Seattle’s first modern 24-hour drugstore at 600 1st Avenue N in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood.

1997

George H. Bartell Sr. was inducted into the Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame in 1997; joining the founders of Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Nordstrom, Eddie Bauer and other well-known Northwest based companies who had received this special honor.

2000

Bartell Drugs, 45th Street N, Wallingford neighborhood, Seattle, May 2000

2004

In July 2004 the Bartell Drug Company was awarded the Washington State Century Corporation Award by Secretary of State Sam Reed in a ceremony timed to coincide with the opening of a new store at 4th Avenue and Madison Street in Seattle.

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Founded
1890
Company founded
Headquarters
Seattle, WA
Company headquarter
Founders
George Bartell Sr
Company founders
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Bartell Drugs history FAQs

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Bartell Drugs may also be known as or be related to Bartell Drugs, The Bartell Drug Company and The Bartell Drugs Co.