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Adams Drugs History
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"Joe Tom" Vinson was born in Barbour County on July 16,1928 to Eddie B. and
Vera Vinson. He was the youngest of 5 children. His father died at a young age, but his
mother managed to raise and educate all her children. The family moved to Wetumpka
the year before Tom entered high school. His mother had taken a job as Asst. Warden at
Tutwiler Prison.
Upon graduation from Wetumpka High School, Tom joined the Navy
for one year. He then entered API (Alabama Polytechnic Institute) now known as Auburn
University.
In 1951 Tom graduated from pharmacy school with honors.
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Joseph Thomas ("Joe Tom") Vinson
1928 - 1979
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In fact, his overall GPA was the best ever by a pharmacy student at that time, and it stayed that way until the early 70's. Upon graduation from Auburn he served another two years in the Navy. He then moved to Montgomery and worked as a pharmacist for Price Drug Co. for over five years. He and a fellow pharmacist, Jim Baxter, then decided to run their own
drugstore. They decided on Roton Drug on South Decatur St. After the first year in business, Tom bought Jim out and moved the store to 934 Adams Avenue where it still operates today.
Tom Vinson was very much involved in youth sports in Montgomery. He was very instrumental in the formation of the East Montgomery Baseball League at Goodwyn Junior High School. In 1980 a T-Ball field was named "The Tom Vinson Field" in his memory.
Tom was a staunch Auburn University supporter. His dream was for all 3 of his children to go to AU, but he did give them a choice. These were his words: "You can go
to school anywhere you want to, but if you don't go to Auburn YOU'LL have to pay for it"!!.
In 1962 Tom Vinson purchased the outstanding shares of Roton Drug Co. and created Montgomery Drug Co. Inc. This drug store which was located on South Decatur Street was then relocated to 934 Adams Ave and named
Adams Street Drugs. "Joe Tom", as he was known to many of his close friends, cultivated a business which consisted of many of the doctors located in the Ripley and Jackson Street area around St. Margaret's hospital.
In 1977 business had grown tremendously, so a new location was opened at 2019 Normandie Drive. This location became known as Adams Drugs South. Hence the name "Adams Drugs" officially got its start this year simply by dropping "Street" off the original name. Blake Vinson, the eldest son of Tom and Emily Vinson became the managing pharmacist of this new location which served many doctors ih the Baptist Hospital area. Pete Cutcliffe became the managing pharmacist of this location in 1979 and continues to work there today. Pete has been with Adams Drugs since his graduation from Auburn and has a very loyal following due to the attention he gives to his customers.
On August 5, 1979 Tom Vinson died in his sleep of a massive heart attack at the early age of 5l. Emily Vinson became the sole owner of Montgomery Drug Co. Inc. Emily, along with her three children, Blake, Mike and Leigh, made sure that business went on as usual.
Tom Vinson had always dreamed of opening a drug store in East Montgomery near his home in Dalraida. In 1984, his family saw that dream come true when they opened Adams Drugs East at 35 Mitchell Drive right off the Atlanta highway. Lance Wells was the pharmacist in charge, and Frances Harrison became the store manager. Bob Boatner (now owner of The Medicine Shoppe) became manager when Lance left to pursue another career. In 1995, Chris Phung left Harco to become managing pharmacist at the East location. Business has flourished at this location in large part due to his warm and caring spirit towards his customers.
In June 1992 Emily Vinson retired and turned the business over to her two sons, Blake and Mike. Her daughter, Leigh Tarpos had long since moved to Canada to raise her family of 4 girls and help her husband run their family owned travel agency.
In November 1997, Blake and Mike partnered with Dr. Dale Entrekin and Terrell Lankford,C.P.A and opened Adams Drugs Vaughn Road. This unique pharmacy also has a gift shop, called Periwinkle, located inside of it. The pharmacy is managed by long-time Montgomery pharmacists Joe Street and George Warren. Rita Entrekin and Suzanne Greene manage the gift shop.
Adams Drugs has survived the massive take-overs and buy outs by the big chains. The business continues to grow by leaps and bounds, because the community in Montgomery has come to appreciate the service from Adams Drugs that they deserve.
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