This is what Shoppers Drug Mart stores used to look like in Ontario

Shoppers Drug Mart, which is now Canada's largest pharmacy chain, traces its roots back to a small, family-run business. Long before it became a household name, the foundation for the company was laid in Toronto in the first quarter of the 20th century.

In the early 1920s, Leon Koffler opened up a pharmacy on College Street in Toronto. At the time, most drugstores relied on clerks behind the counter, but Koffler's store would later become one of the first to introduce a revolutionary self-service model.

When he passed away in 1941, his son Murray Koffler, who was 17 years old at the time, took over the family's two drug stores. 

After earning a degree in pharmacy from the University of Toronto, Koffler began making changes to the business. Inspired by the layout of Dominion grocery stores, he removed the soda fountain and placed the prescription counter at the front of the store. Koffler emphasized prescriptions and health aids, while maintaining a self-service layout that let customers browse the shelves themselves.

Shoppers Drug Mart was founded in 1962 by Murray Koffler. Photo: Shoppers Drug Mart.

As Toronto's suburbs evolved in the postwar years, Koffler responded by opening a new store in 1953 at the York Mills Shopping Plaza, which was his first suburban location. Looking to expand, he developed what he called the "Associate concept," which allowed licensed pharmacists to run their own locations with full control over operations and profits, in exchange for a percentage of sales.

In return, the company provided marketing and advertising support, which helped to accelerate the chain's growth.

The first Shoppers Drug Mart in Toronto. Photo: Shoppers Drug Mart.

In 1962, Koffler opened a new 4,000 square foot location at the Shoppers World plaza at Danforth and Coxwell Avenues in Toronto. Inspired by the plaza's name and by Loblaws Food Mart, he rebranded the store as "Shoppers Drug Mart." He believed that the name "Shoppers" indicated accessibility and value, while "Mart" suggested a wide selection and fair prices.

That same year, the Life Brand was created after the company identified the need for a high-quality private label alternative for customers of the pharmacies.

Murray Koffler speaking with customers at Shoppers Drug Mart in 1962. Photo: Shoppers Drug Mart.

The store design included wide aisles, bright lighting, and clear signage, which would all become signature characteristics of locations moving forward. The rebranding was so successful that the company changed its three Koffler's Drugstores into Shoppers Drug Marts.

In 1968, Shoppers merged with Plaza drug stores, bringing its total of Ontario locations to 52. In 1969, the company expanded outside of Ontario for the first time with a store in Moncton, New Brunswick.

A Shoppers Drug Mart location in 1968.

From there, the company continued to expand its presence across the country. In 1971, Shoppers entered western Canada by purchasing 87 Cunningham Drug Stores in Alberta and B.C. The following year, the company continued its cross-country expansion by opening its first store in Quebec under the Pharmaprix banner.

A Shoppers Drug Mart in 1985. Photo: Shoppers Drug Mart.

In 1987, Shoppers opened the first two 24-hour full-service drugstores in Ontario and launched its first in-store Canada Post outlet. Koffler continued to serve as the Shoppers CEO from 1978 through 1982, and then as chairman until his retirement in 1986.

Shoppers Drug Mart as we know it today. Photo: Fareen Karim. 

Today, Shoppers Drug Mart is Canada's primary pharmacy retailer with approximately 1,300 pharmacist-owned locations across Canada.