Cunningham Drug (Canada)

Last updated
Cunningham Drug Stores Ltd.
Type Pharmacy chain
Industry Pharmacy
Founded1911
Defunct1971
FateChain purchased by Shoppers Drug Mart
Headquarters Vancouver, British Columbia
ProductsPharmaceuticals, health/beauty/tobacco products, and grocery.

Cunningham Drug Stores Ltd. (Cunningham's for short) was a regional pharmacy chain based in British Columbia, Canada.

History

Cunningham's was established in February 1911 when New Westminster native George T. Cunningham, a druggist formerly employed by the Woodwards department store chain, opened his first store in Vancouver, at the corner of Denman and Nelson Streets. Cunningham expanded his chain in September 1939 when he acquired the Vancouver Drug Stores chain, nearly tripling the size of the Cunningham's chain from 12 stores to 35.

At its peak, 100 drug stores in British Columbia and Alberta bore the Cunningham's name. Cunningham was a Vancouver city councilor from 1955 to 1957 and served as chair of the University of British Columbia Board of Governors.

Cunningham died in Palm Springs, California on March 7, 1965, at age 76, [1] and the drug store chain bearing his name was sold to the expanding Shoppers Drug Mart on September 26, 1971. [2]

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George T. Cunningham was the founder of Cunningham's, the 52-store British Columbia pharmacy chain that later became part of Shoppers Drug Mart. Cunningham was also an alderman, a member of the Vancouver School Board and was on the Board of Governors of the University of British Columbia for 30 years. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the university after his death for his philanthropy, public service and dedication to education.

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