Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

April 1, 2009, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

History rediscovered for Grand Opening

Sniteman Pharmacy (shop on right) is pictured (approximately 1930).

The pharmacy has been in existence dating back to the 1800s and is still going strong in Neillsville.

(Photo courtesy of the Clark County Press files)

By Peter Spicer

Preparing for a grand opening helped Sniteman Pharmacy employees learn more about the Neillsville store’s history.

The pharmacy is holding a grand opening to celebrate a completed remodeling project that will serve its employees and customers better.

Sniteman Pharmacy co-owner Bill Weiler, who has been at Sniteman Pharmacy since 1989, discovered a clock on the second floor of the pharmacy that was displayed outside the pharmacy beginning in the late 1800s.

Sniteman Pharmacy co-owner Bill Weiler poses with a clock previously displayed outside the pharmacy when C. C. Sniteman owned the pharmacy many years ago.  A jewelry shop was located in the building, along with the pharmacy, in the 1800s and into the 1900s.  The Pharmacy is celebrating a completed remodeling job by holding a grand opening celebration.   

(Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

Weiler plans to display the clock, which he found in its original wooden shipping crate, inside the store during the grand opening.  “It’s too unique not to display,” said Weiler.

The clock was just one of many items Weiler was surprised to find on the pharmacy’s second floor.  Oh pharmacy signs, school desks, old clothing and the original pharmacy counter were all stored upstairs.

“It makes you want to know more about the [pharmacy’s] history,” said Weiler.

The grand opening will celebrate the completion of recent remodeling projects upstairs and downstairs at the pharmacy as well as inside and outside Sniteman Pharmacy.  The remodeling began in December and was recently completed.

Weiler and Dave Klieforth own Sniteman Pharmacy, located at 528 Hewett Street.  Sniteman Pharmacy has been located at this address for 130 years.

Sniteman Pharmacy is named after C. C. Sniteman, who owned the pharmacy and spent much of his life in Neillsville and contributed much to the community.

Sniteman worked in a Peoria, IL drugstore before attending and graduating from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy; he then came to Neillsville in 1879.  He began working as a clerk in Myers Drugstore but soon bought the business from the two brothers who owned the pharmacy.

Sniteman filled 466,890 prescriptions during his 61 year career in Neillsville. During his many years in Neillsville, he helped new area businesses get off the ground by helping finance those efforts and also helped fund the college educations of local young men attending pharmacy school.

Sniteman was “such a giver to the community,” explained Weiler, who added providing service to the community is the pharmacy’s top priority.

Customer service has helped keep the pharmacy going in the age of chain pharmacies, said Weiler.

Knowing customers by name, being on call 24/7 and spending time getting to know customers are ways the pharmacy helps continue Sniteman’s legacy, said Weiler, who added he and his staff are friends with many of the customers.

Weiler tells students working at the pharmacy to treat customers well remember the golden rule and keep in mind customers allow them to keep receiving a paycheck.

Weiler’s daughter, Kristin, plans to complete pharmacy school in May 2010 and then join the staff at Sniteman Pharmacy.

Weiler credits the staff for the success of the pharmacy and for the way it treats customers.

Sniteman Pharmacy will celebrate the grand opening with an open house, Wednesday, April 1, through Friday April 3, featuring the slogan, “Remembering the past, moving forward to the future.”

A drawing will be held each day of the grand opening for customers to fill out a registration form to win a $100 Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificate.

Free blood pressure screenings will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Cholesterol and blood glucose screenings will be held Thursday and Friday for $20 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Additional Articles:

• Sniteman Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting (6 May 2009)