Kemper Drug: A Significant Landmark in Elk River
Marking the history of Kemper Drug reinforces the significance of this landmark in Elk River. This oral history collected from Bob Kemper provides new insight into the building and also contributes understanding to the business history of the city. When I bought the store it was the only drugstore in town; and it remained the only drugstore for quite a while. But, of course, eventually, all the grocery stores had pharmacies in them. So, it’s quite a different picture, although Kemper Drug is still there. My dad had a drugstore in Perham. My older brother is also a pharmacist. So, we grew up in the drugstore. I worked in several stores after that. And then, of course, the war came on; I went and joined the navy. Then I came back and bought the store in Elk River. My partner was my brother. We also had the Perham drugstore. Eventually, we separated and I owned the Elk River store and he, the Perham stor...