Gary Drug Co.

I love local shops and supporting local business! This drug store is a true Boston treasure! Now, if you are a fan of the chains like CVS, Walgreens and the like, then you may wanna hike to another spot because this mini spot is quirky and fun and how the old school drug stores were once setup. If I lived in Beacon Hill, I would come into this store as often as I could to visit and chat about the locals. Alas, as a visitor, I only was able to come in once, but I am glad I did. I was still in search of a souvenir from Boston to take back home with me. Passing by, I spotted the painting from the famous children’s book «Make Way for the Duckings» — which was set in Boston. Seeing an actual watercolor print, matted and ready to be framed for $ 15, i knew I had to go in and see if I could snag me one.
The ladies behind the counter were thrilled for me to come in and tell their story of the author who actually paints and sells them through their store. This particular piece was not only signed by the author himself, but also has a little synopsis to go along with the painting. I was ecstatic! I had finally found me a piece of Boston! I was so impressed with not only the friendly staff but how everyone in the store was receiving stellar service– all the customers came in and left with smiles on their faces — as did i! While it was a surprise to find such a great piece of art in such a quaint, neighborhood location, I was thankful to stumble across this little treat, right from the pages of a Norman Rockwell neighborhood. So, if you are in Beacon Hill taking in the beautiful cobblestone streets and beautiful homes, stop in this little spot and say hello to everyone in the store. I have no doubt they will welcome you in with a warm smile and a bit of chatter to lighten your day!

In addition to my pharmacy needs… They sell Klorane hair care here. It’s hard to find in general so I was pretty excited they sell it!!!

This drug store is a gem in Boston! You can get your prescription filled in no time. Plus, there are items in every nook and cranny of the store, thereby keeping your attention in time to fill said prescription.
This quirky store seems like one of the last authentic places in Beacon Hill. If you live in the area, you should definitely stop by and give this store your business! It’s a lot more interesting to visit than CVS.

They are one of the only places that do wheelchair rentals by the day in the city. It was only a $ 15 a day charge, perfect for those who want to do the Freedom Trail but cannot walk the distance. And they are so friendly and helpful!

I just had a great experience at Gary Drug. I came in to buy a Mason Pearson hair brush. These brushes are very expensive, so I was prepared to pay around $ 200. They showed me one that was $ 214, but then pointed out that the smaller sized one that only cost $ 99 would work just as well. Sold!
I really appreciated them telling me this. Seeing as they could have just sold me the more expensive one.
They also have nice hair clips and combs there, as well as the usual drug store stuff.
I love that they are an independent, old fashioned type store!

This place is exactly what you want for a privately owned go-​to place in the neighborhood. They sell virtually everything you could want at a drugstore… AND Mason Pearson brushes which I think is amazing! Also, if you live on the hill, you can start a house account which makes me really easy to run out and grab things you need!
FYI…they also provide a copying/​fax service for a small fee.

I’ve never been in the store but have had Rx’s filled and appreciate their ability to deliver products to my home. Plus, they can compound some medicine as needed-​which can be helpful as well.

Every time I’m walking down Charles Street, I have to stop in and scope out the shelves. And I always find something I didn’t know I needed. The variety in the store is remarkable and I’m a huge fan of the young guy who works the counter on the weekends.
Prices are comparable to other drug stores and I’d rather support a local business than a chain.

Update: After going to this place again and again because I had to, the staff really grew on me. I never again had a medication error and the place is just a throw back so take it for what it is.
Original Post:
I’ve resisted writing anything about this place for months — mainly because this tiny drug store has a lot of appeal. It’s a wall-​to-​wall cornucopia of wonderful vintage remedies, fun skin care items and a huge variety of needful personal care items. I truly enjoy the browsing. Plus the young guys who work the counter are stellar; they greet you right away and are eager to help.
I had read a few reviews here on Unilocal and decided to move my scripts over to get a more personal experience. Well, early on they made a mistake in a script, giving me a 50mcg instead of a 75mcg pill — critical because I was pregnant and needed this drug to keep the pregnancy safe. The druggist was very apologetic and it’s a legit mistake — after all, it is my responsibility to check my scripts. But since then I get this horrible older woman who is unpleasant, cranky and abrupt and gets agitated every time I check the script before I leave. She’s been consistently rude since their mistake.
I don’t know about you, but who has time for that behavior from the people responsible for something as important as your medication? I recommend you get your scripts at CVS.

These guys really do squeeze an amazing amount of stuff into a small space, and they always seem to have what I want. And in my experience, their prices compare well to the CVS down the street. The positive aspects of going there are the knowledgeable staff and the personal service.
I disagree with the reviews suggesting that they sell old stock. Considering the small space and the volume of business they do, I’d be very surprised ever to see old stock on their shelves, and my experience has always been satisfactory so long as I didn’t annoy the staff.
I would have given them five stars except that I’ve managed to aggravate the staff more than once over the years and they let me know it. (And I’m a nice guy, really!) But treat them with respect and they’ll take good care of you.

I’m writing this review because I’ve been going to the Gary Drug for practically my whole life and My mother worked there for 22 years. This isn’t your typical ‘drug store’. If you expect an atmosphere like CVS, then just take the extra 5 minutes to walk to Cambridge St and go there. The beauty of the Gary Drug (as long as you are a considerate customer) is that they will go out of their way to help you. If they don’t have something you need, they are more than happy to order it for you. Yes, the employees may be old, but I prefer talking to someone knowledgeable than talking to some sullen employee at a chain drug store. It is a FAMILY business, and I’ve worked there myself in the past. The golden rule (which should be followed regardless of where you go) is to treat the employees with respect and you’ll be treated the same way.

Those who have given this neighborhood standby a less than stellar review clearly do not use the place as a pharmacy, but regard it as a toiletries store. Its narrow shelves are stocked to the ceiling with various brands (some quite expensive and up-​market) but this is truly an old-​fashioned pharmacy – its excellent, friendly, and most importantly knowledgeable pharmacist is hands-​down the best I have ever known. In fact, when I lived in NY for three years, I would fill my prescriptions here when in town because I like this place and its staff so much – and I’m not the only one. Gary has a loyal clientele (which one reviewer probably means by «old,» though I am a grad student) because it’s simply fantastic. A Boston gem, a Beacon Hill treasure, and frankly, an asset to anyone with chronic or serious health problems (or a cold – the staff is pretty good at diagnosing!) who knows how hard it is to find good care, especially at big box stores and chains. And in fact, if you are sick, you will much prefer your experience here, where the staff is kind and polite and the wait is much shorter – for prescriptions or not – than at the CVS a few blocks down.

I give it three stars because the black magic that has kept this place open without customers can strike anyone at any time. This store, and the people who live in it, are OLD. If you’ve come down with Hysteria, or your humors are not balanced, or if you’ve been attacked by a wyvern, this is probably the place to go to get your leeches or your men’s virility tonic.

I really love little old drugstores where the walls are filled top to bottom because they have very little room and the selection is a little more random than the more modern and spacious chain pharmacies and that smell like libraries and wintergreen.
This is exactly that.
Also, the people who work there are very friendly.
Let me warn you that some of those products have been sitting on the shelf for a very long time, like since they were originally created I think. I bought a lotion there that had turned BROWN and begun to SEPERATE ~GROSS~! I’ve also bought things that were caked with dust because it was late and the places that change their stock more frequently didn’t have what I needed.
Anyway, friendly and cozy and interesting.

Yes, this place is wall to wall medicine, but was to wall isn’t a lot, considering this place is cramped. I’m sure if you are sick, you’ll be able to find the medicine you need, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m sure if you go to the 7 – 11 across the street you could find medicine… and be able to breathe.