A familiar fixture in La Jolla is closing its doors after decades in business.
Burns Drugs, one of La Jolla's oldest independently-owned retail stores, will close on April 15.
The pharmacy is known for its customer service and for its staff who have worked with the business for years.
Resident Bob Salkin said he was sick about the news.
“I think my wife will cry, really,” Salkin said.
The store’s owner is retiring and has agreed to transfer prescriptions to the CVS pharmacy on Eads Avenue, according to The La Jolla Light.
The newspaper reports that the full-time staffers at Burns Drugs will be offered positions at CVS.
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Gail Baccaglini has been a customer there since 1950.
She was horrified about the news because she sees the closure of the independently-owned drug store as a sign of a change in The Village where she enjoys having a relationship with business owners and staff.
“Burns is very symbolic of that,” she said. “I find it disappointing. I find it worrisome for La Jolla.”
For Salkin, finding a replacement pharmacy will be difficult.
“They deliver to our house. They’re responsive. They’re fantastic. They’re like family,” he said.
Even though prescriptions won’t be filled beyond next week, the store will stay open until May while it sells off its remaining inventory.
