Peoples Drug Stores, Inc. - Specimen Stock Certificate

Specimen Stock printed by Security-Columbian Banknote Company.

Founded in 1905 by Malcolm Gibbs in Washington, D.C., Peoples Drug began as a single storefront and grew into a prominent player in the mid-Atlantic retail landscape. Renowned for its distinctive neon signage and inviting lunch counters, the chain became an integral part of the community by prioritizing accessibility and offering a wide range of products beyond just prescriptions. By the mid-20th century, Peoples Drug had expanded significantly, becoming one of the largest drugstore chains in the United States. Its success was rooted in its “neighborhood first� philosophy, strategically placing locations on busy streetcar corners to serve as convenient first stops for commuters and families alike.

As the retail industry transitioned towards larger conglomerates in the 1970s and 80s, Peoples Drug underwent several ownership changes, including acquisitions by the Lane Drug Company and later Imasco. Despite these corporate shifts, the brand maintained strong customer loyalty through modernization efforts, such as the introduction of “Peoples Express� photo processing and expanded health services. However, the era of the Peoples brand came to an end in 1990 when it was acquired by CVS Pharmacy. Over the subsequent years, the familiar blue and red logos were replaced, marking the end of an era for a pharmacy that had shaped the retail experience for generations of East Coast residents.