Owl Pharmacy
Owl Pharmacy
Albert Harrison Powell Owner of Owl Pharmacy 1917-1931.
Cheney's Owl Pharmacy is [in 2022] Cheney's oldest business still in operation, as well as the third oldest pharmacy in Washington state.
Opened in 1882 at an unknown location, the drug store moved several times in those early years. One known located was 327 1st Street in 1887. (This was possibly E.B. Hendricks drug store, he was in Cheney at least by 1882. However, Switzer Drug closed and was bought out by Spokane people in 1913.)
A.H. [Albert Harrison] Powell bought the drug store in 1917, operating it until shortly before his death in 1931. He seems to be the one who began using the name Owl Pharmacy. His son, Walter Powell was a partner in the drug store. They moved it to 416 1st Street around this time.
After his father's death, Walter Powell continued to run Owl Pharmacy, taking on Joe Van Amburgh as partner in 1944.
Theodore H. Stahlborn took over Owl Pharmacy sometime between 1946 and 1949. Ted, and his wife Hannah, were active in many organizations and civic activities in the community.
Ted Stahlborn bought property in January 1967 on F Street where an old blacksmith shop building had been since early pioneer times. He had the old shop torn down and erected a new, larger, and modern drug store - it opened in the summer of that year, using the address 120 F Street.
An arson fire in January 1969 nearly destroyed the building, but it was rebuilt in the same place.
The building we see today is similar to the original. The large display window facing 2nd at the front corner has been removed, allowing more room to display merchandise. The rear 2nd street side corner of the building once was angled for a drive-up pharmacy pickup window.
Fritz McGinnis started at Owl Pharmacy in 1976, owning the store until 2016.
1996 staff of Cheney Owl Pharmacy
Amanda Goyke took over in 2016 after working with Fritz for several years.
With more than 50 years at 120 F Street, Owl Pharmacy is a locally owned and operated landmark that has been in Cheney 140 years.