Southern town left reeling by sudden closure of family-owned drugstore after 110 years: ‘It’s been our rock’

A family-owned drugstore has rocked the local community by announcing it will close after 110 years.

Clinkscales Drugs has been serving the small town of Belton, South Carolina since 1915.

Formerly known as Horton’s, the store has been owned and operated by the Clinkscale family since its inception.

But now current owner Gene Clinkscales has decided to retire.

“I’m reaching a certain age, but I’m ready to take a step back,” Clinkscales says told WSPA.

“My wife has the books for the store, so she would like some time off too,” he explained.

“All my children are scattered, grown up, but have their own jobs and careers, and it’s time to move on.

“We hate it, and we wish there was something like this in town, but we’re grateful for all these years.”

Clinkscales currently has a 50 percent discount on most items and will close its doors for the final time on December 11.

Locals who have been visiting the store for years shared their sadness over the store’s closure, as well as their fond memories over the years.

“So many memories of shopping there growing up with my sweet grandmother… so sad to see this cornerstone disappear,” Heather Lever wrote on Facebook.

“Clinkscales Drugs have been a Belton staple all our lives. It is one of those businesses we will always remember,” wrote another local customer, Randy Bannister.

In addition to shoppers, Clinkscales staff were also upset by the closure.

Current owner Gene Clinkscales has decided to close the store as he retires

The drugstore, formerly called Horton’s, has been in the same family for almost 110 years

Clinkscales Drugs will close its doors for the last time on December 11

“My grandparents were customers, my mother and father were customers and I have been a customer all these years,” employee Marcelle Jennings told the local news station.

“My grandfather took me to town,” Jennings recalled. “We went to Horton’s, and it was uptown, and I sat on the little stools and we had a little snack and a drink. There are good memories here.’

Linda Sitton, who has worked at the store for 38 years, says the store is like a family.

“It’s a great boost for the whole community and it will really be missed by the community and the staff,” she said.

Customers are encouraged to stop by to say goodbye before the closing date.

“I just know that our family is so grateful for the people in this community. They loved this. They supported us,” Clinkscales said.

‘The fact that the store is closed does not mean that we are no longer there. We would still love to see all our people.”