Guerin's Pharmacy is a historic pharmacy that opened in Summerville, South Carolina in 1871. It is the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina as well as the oldest continuously-operating business in Summerville. It was founded by Dr. Henry Charles Guerin. The roots of the pharmacy go back decades earlier. Dr. C.F. Schwettmann owned a drugstore in Charleston, but it was damaged by cannon fire during the Civil War. He set up a new drugstore in Summerville in 1864. In 1871, Guerin (a former Confederate soldier and graduate of the Medical College of South Carolina) purchased the pharmacy and Schwettmann returned to Charleston. After Guerin passed away, the pharmacy was taken over by his son Dr. Joseph C. Guerin. The younger Guerin's colleague Dr. Herbert F. Dunning later purchased the pharmacy. Since 2014, the owner of Guerin's Pharmacy has been Dunning's grand niece Barbara A. Dunning, RPh. My family and I visited Guerin's Pharmacy this past summer while we were visiting family in town. Our cousins told us to check out a really cool old pharmacy in Hutchinson Square. We had no idea that pharmacies like this still existed; we had only seen ones like this in the movies. In addition to a pharmacy, Guerin's also essentially doubles as a general store where customers can purchase souvenirs, postcards, books, t-shirts, etc. Guerin's is also home to a soda fountain, which were popular in drugstores during the first half of the 20th century but rarely seen today. Customers can get Blue Bell brand ice cream, milkshakes, malts, floats, fountain sodas, hotdogs (with or without chili), pickles, or a number of different treats from the candy counter. My wife and I shared a cup of "Mint Chocolate Chip" ice cream while our sons shared a cup of "Cookies 'n Cream". My wife also enjoyed a strawberry milkshake while I had a bottle of Cheerwine. It was so cool to step back in time at Guerin's Pharmacy! We'll definitely visit again on a future trip to Summerville. read more

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Friendly, courteous, knowledgeable. Staffing consistent and they recognize you. Store decor brings back awesome memories. read more

Guerin's is a gem. They are so nice and the service is great. Stop in for your pharmacy needs and it's like a step back in time. You can grab ice cream and a treat at the same time. Thank you for keeping the history. Support small local businesses read more

Simply the best pharmacy. Friendly, fabulous, and so helpful. . I'm not a fan of corporate since it's all about money Guerins is a business that cares about its clientel. Always a moment to chat . Thank you Guerins and staff. Best of luck Carson at Veritas! Kathleen Ferrara read more

This was a really cool piece of history. They had lots of old time medicine and supplies on display, which was neat to see. read more

Guerin's Pharmacy - Drugstores Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

It's an interesting place I must say. Very family owned vibes. I came here to get a compression sleeve for my foot and they actually had it at this small little place in downtown. But they also sell a spread of random things like trinkets and candy and gifts. The most random thing for me was the hot dogs. There was only one person working the counter and he was making about 10 chili hot dogs between the 2 people in front of me. So I waited in line for some time just trying to check out one thing. Then when it was my turn he said he would help me at the other counter to which i found out there was another person working in the back in the pharmacy area. Could she have just helped me get checked out during this whole time of me waiting in the other line? The guy was at least friendly but I don't think the whole hotdog situation is very efficient when you have a long line of people trying to just check out. Or at least direct people to the other counter and have someone take care of those guests. Everything seemed reasonably priced for the most part but I don't think I'll be back. read more

Guerin's Pharmacy - Drugstores Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

Ive been a resident for a few years and have never been to this location but I hear my co workers talk about the hot dogs and how good they are! I was not disappointed in them at all! they also have ice cream and nostalgic candies and quick pick me ups. I was disappointed in the ice cream, I got the butter pecan and it didn't taste like butter pecan at all.. I would recommend a different vendor. Outside of that, they have everything you need! read more

One of my favorite places in SC. First, I love history and it doesn't get more historic than this. Did you know they are the oldest pharmacy in SC and the oldest operating business in Summerville? I love that when you step in the door of the pharmacy it is like stepping back in time. The old tin ceiling is there along with a vintage ice cream parlor chair set. They serve many treats along with memorabilia. My favorite part is the sodas in glass bottles; my children get the biggest kick out of it! I love that when you visit it isn't just a store but a feeling; take a trip and visit you'll be a huge fan like me in no time! read more

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Adore the entire staff; they are as charming as the Pharmacy itself that's been holding down the fort in DT Summerville since 1823. It even has its own historic marker! You'll love supporting this local business- it's so fun to step back in time, score some great deals, and lots of local-only finds. Got 6 Christmas cards and 2 rolls of 85' Christmas Wrapping paper for $10 and change. Beat that! They're also we known for their famous hot dogs and we indulged-- chili cheese coney for $1.90ish is a total no brainer. Check it out!!! read more

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As a pharmacist and aficionado of all pharmacy history I had to stop here. This truly is a perfect sample of a classic old time pharmacy. The antique cabinets on the wall that once held all of the poultices, potions, patent ingredients, and cures along the wall, the old time soda fountain, just everything that one pictures in a classic pharmacy. The history of this place is LEGIT. read more

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Guerin's is truly the soul of Downtown Summerville. Located on Hutchinson Square, true old town service greets you with a smile. From ice cream to candy to hot dogs and gifts. They have it all. Kids want to go in, grab an inexpensive ice cream, and sit in the back along the old drug store mirrors and play toys. My kids beg to go to Guerin's and we are there at least once a week. read more

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OMG you must go have their Hot Dogs!!!! It was wonderful seeing all the old things around the store.

I don't get it. One of the oldest around but I did not get the feeling I was stepping back in time. Sure it has a counter, but that's it. Everything else is like any other pharmacy. Not the nicest person behind the counter. I guess I'm not impressed given the hype. Maybe I expected too much. Frank G read more

Love this place! Get a hotdog with chili! Trust me! Every worker is so friendly and the vibe of this place relaxes you. It's a throw back to the days of gramma and grandpa! Get some hard to find candies, too, while waiting on your prescription. Tell Aunt Barbara I sent you! read more

I'm writing this while standing outside of the pharmacy on Thursday at 6:02pm. If you guys close at 6pm, it would help to update ALL of the online outlets where it states 7pm. Instead I was told by a rude employee through a locked door. read more

Guerin's is a working pharmacy and so much more. It's hard to find true pharmacy service in modern day stores, but the pharmacists here do actual research and help customer's find the things that they need to meet their medical needs. In addition to pharmacy services, they have a full working soda fountain, lots of touristy type stuff, and sundries. You should visit here for the experience of visiting Guerin's and if you're local, you should keep coming back because this is truly a local shop with strong ties to the community. Be local, shop local. Bring your out of town guests, bring yourself, just experience a unique store in the lowcountry. read more

The malts are SO GOOD! This place hasn't changed much since I was a kid and I'm sure well before that. It's interesting coming to Guerin's, the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina, there are so many relics of the past. I'm sure there are people that come here for actually prescriptions, but I really only see it as a nostalgic visit. Seriously, go get yourself a MALT!! The reason I give this place less than stellar stars is the fact that they told my sweet little two year old niece to walk across the street to use the restroom after she said, "Mama! I need to go potty!" Do you really think a 2 year old can hold it? I'm sure they don't walk across the street so it was a little frustrating. We immediately left. I'll come again because as I said, it's nostalgic. read more

It is a pleasure to shop at Guerin's. The pharmacy provides personal, unhurried service which is not only professional but also pleasant. The waiting lines are not full of people with carts full of groceries/multiple expired coupons and poor attitudes. It is easily accessible with adequate parking in a beautiful setting. read more

Guerin's Pharmacy is a great place to get your prescriptions filled! The professional pharmacists are happy to consult with you about your medications and can provide the encouragement that you need to succeed with a new course of treatment. And the register service, headed by Peggy for as long as I can remember, is friendly and knowledgeable. For those who think that independent shops MUST be more expensive, let me assure you that this is not necessarily true. I know that, unless I use my insurance company's mail service, my costs with my insurance are the same no matter where I go. So all of my local business goes to Guerin's. Also, while you are waiting for your prescription, you can savor a great milk shake or other treat at the old fashioned soda fountain, or shop for a unique gift! read more

The best personal, neighborhood pharmacy with qualified staff available to answer my questions. The overall feeling of the over 100 year old business can't be surpassed in quality of merchandise! I recommend this pharmacy over any other! read more

Guerin's Pharmacy is the greatest in quality, competence, customer service. I grew up at Guerin's and, when I moved back to Summerville after many, many years away, of course I returned to Guerin's. I know that there are very few businesses in existence that treat you like family, feel like family, while providing state-of-the-art professional services. Barbara Dunning and her associates are in a class by themselves. Jaquelin Simons read more

Unique building and fun things to look at but not a place to eat. Hotdogs are fair at the best and vanilla milkshakes were like drinking milky water... read more

I quite like patronizing this old-timey place. It's very small-town feeling. I did once call in and speak to a chick who works there, and thirty minutes later I arrive and they had yet to fill it. Overall it's pretty decent here. read more

I love this little place, its a piece of Summerville history. The counter people are always so nice, and everything is reasonably priced. They have candy, ice cream, hot dogs, nachos the whole nine yards. Whenever people are in town I always bring them here. This place won't ever get old, and its just plain awesome. read more

We love coming here with our 3 kids. While I haven't needed a prescription here we love the store and the ice cream parlor. The staff is super nice and the ice cream is so yummy. What a great asset for Summerville!! read more

Guerin's Pharmacy is quite the gem. The pharmacists and staff are amazing and go above and beyond to help. From the chili dogs, sweet tea, and ice cream to the novelties, books, and gifts, you can find just about anything you might need here and it's accompanied by superb service. I will never go back to a "regular" pharmacy again. Be sure to check them out whether you are visiting or a resident of Summerville. You will not be disappointed! read more

What's NOT to LOVE about Guerin's?? From the moment you walk through the door you're transported back to a gentler time. A time when you could get your prescriptions filled by people who took an interest in your family and at a place you looked forward to visiting. Stopping by the original ice cream counter for a cone, or .... my favorite, a chocolate malt.... on your way out is always a treat, as is looking at all the amazing old pharmacy specimens on display. And if you're looking for something you can't seem to find anywhere else ...like that old fashioned soap your grandmother used to use, or the powder your mom always had on her vanity..... give Guerin's a shot, because they probably have it! And if they don't have it, they can usually order it for you. Guerin's is a GREAT Summerville tradition!! read more

Amazing customer service! Not only is the aesthetic a throwback, their customer service reminds me of a different, better time. I was suffering for days with an illness and I tried a bigger corporate pharmacy and they told me they did not have the ingredients to compound my prescription. They told me possibly Guerins would be a good place to try and I am so glad they did. Not only did they fill the prescription in an hour on a Friday, they called me 15 minutes before they closed to let me know that it was ready and if I needed extra time to come and get it They would stay open for me. Everyone should choose to patron such an customer focused and caring establishment. I will tell everyone I encounter what great service and care they took with a first time guest. Thank You Guerin's!!!!! read more

My first time there. The older lady who was working wasn't friendly and a slug had better personality than she had. Also there website had a malware and virus so don't go to it. read more