West 7th Pharmacy Closing: Twin Cities Landmark Ends 110-Year Run
- Paul's West Seventh Street neighborhood,Jeff Johnson is retiring,and with him goes the West seventh Pharmacy.
- Johnson, who purchased the pharmacy in 1999, noted the changing landscape.
- The closure of the West Seventh Pharmacy underscores a concerning trend. The Minnesota Pharmacists Association reports that 44% of Minnesota pharmacies have closed since 2013.
After 110 years, West Seventh Pharmacy in St. Paul, a cherished neighborhood institution as 1915, is closing its doors on June 30th. This closure signals an end of an era, prompted by teh evolving challenges faced by independent pharmacies. Owner Jeff Johnson cites industry pressures, including struggles wiht pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and shifting customer expectations as key reasons for the closure. Competition from larger chains and a national labor shortage further complicate matters for self-reliant pharmacies. The minnesota Pharmacists Association reports a concerning trend, with nearly half of Minnesota pharmacies closing since 2013. News Directory 3 has the latest on the story including how customers can transfer prescriptions. Discover what’s next for the St. Paul community and its healthcare needs.
St. Paul Pharmacy Closing After 110 Years of Service
Updated May 27, 2025
After 42 years in St. Paul’s West Seventh Street neighborhood,Jeff Johnson is retiring,and with him goes the West seventh Pharmacy. The pharmacy, a neighborhood institution as 1915, will close its doors permanently on June 30 after failing to find a buyer. The closure highlights the struggles of independent pharmacies amid changing industry dynamics and customer expectations.
Johnson, who purchased the pharmacy in 1999, noted the changing landscape. “It’s been a good run,” Johnson said, reflecting on the pharmacy’s role as a community hub. He added that he knew the mailman, bar owners and gas station workers.
The closure of the West Seventh Pharmacy underscores a concerning trend. The Minnesota Pharmacists Association reports that 44% of Minnesota pharmacies have closed since 2013. Independent pharmacies,in particular,are struggling to compete with larger chains and navigate the complexities of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
According to the association, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) contribute to the problem by reimbursing pharmacies below cost. these PBMs, working for managed care organizations (MCOs), impose fees and contract terms that disadvantage smaller pharmacies.
Deborah Keaveny, a pharmacist and founder of Minnesota Independent Pharmacists, said PBMs dictate lower prices for prescription drugs, making it difficult for pharmacies to make up the difference through retail sales. “Pharmacies have very little control over the pricing of the drugs themselves,” Keaveny said. “(PBMs) have ratcheted everything down, so it’s gotten to the point where ther’s no place to make up the losses.”
Johnson also pointed to other factors, including manufacturers and wholesalers, as well as the competitive nature of the industry.He noted that larger chains might receive different treatment than smaller ones.
Adding to the challenges, a labor shortage has further strained resources. Connie Weber, a pharmacist at West Seventh Pharmacy, previously worked at another independent pharmacy that closed.Johnson acknowledged the difficulty in paying competitive wages, noting that employees could earn more at larger companies.
“It’s been a good gig,” said Johnson, who is ending an era for himself and for his store. “We’ve been trying to sell it, but no one is interested in buying it.”
Changing customer expectations also play a role. Johnson observed that younger customers expect immediate service, similar to online retailers. “People treat us like mcdonald’s,” Johnson said. “We have great customers, but there’s some who want things right away…The new customers need a little more attention.”
What’s next
With the West Seventh Pharmacy closing, customers can transfer prescriptions to Etel Pharmacy in Sibley Plaza, United Hospital, or the Walgreens on Wabasha Street. Johnson said he spoke with a clinic-based pharmacy at the Riverland Community Clinic, who assured him they could absorb his customers.