Polta Drugs closing

Location has housed drug store since 1870 in downtown New Ulm

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A long-time fixture in the downtown area is quitting business next week. Polta Drugs, which has been open on Minnesota Street for more than a century, will close its doors for the final time Tuesday.

Bill Moede, pharmacist and owner of the store since 1976, said closing was a difficult decision.

"There has been a drug store here since 1870," he said. "And this is the end of it, I guess."

Customers roamed about the shop Tuesday, examining ceramic birds and Christmas novelties that line the shelves. Much of the non-medicinal items are discounted.

One elderly customer, while picking up a prescription, asked Moede if the rumor of the closing was true. Moede smiled, and assured her that while the store is closing, he will still work in town.

Moede, 58, said he is merging with Thrifty White drugstore on Center Street. He will become a full-time pharmacist at that store.

Although Moede was initially pensive about the merger, he has warmed to the idea.

"I've been resisting them for a long time," Moede said referring to merger requests. "But after 24 years, I'd like to have less responsibility. It's too long of hours and too much work."

As the only licensed pharmacist in the store, Moede's presence was required during all business hour, which meant much time away from home. Moede's wife, Barb, urged him to merge stores so he could spend more time at home.

"For the longest time, I had a relief pharmacist," Moede said. "But for the last couple of years, I haven't had one."

With no additional help, Moede has worked long hours, filling his customers' prescriptions.

"Going into 40 hours a week will be like being semi-retired to me," Moede said with a hearty laugh.

Moede began working at the store with Al Polta in 1968. He purchased the business in 1976. Polta bought the store from the Epple brothers, who had owned the store since the turn of the century.

Moede smiled often during his chats with customers. While he appears sad about closing the store, he remains energized in his work.

"I guess I consider my customers my friends," he said. "And I think they feel the same way."

Any prescriptions on file will be transferred to Thrifty White, Moede said.

The hardest part of giving up the business is that he will no longer be his own boss. But Moede thinks it is a good tradeoff for working fewer hours.

The two stores agreed to merge about a month ago, but Moede said the agreement was not made public immediately. Now, with only a handful of days left, Moede would like to sell a few more knickknacks and ceramic figurines before moving.

He also hopes the customers will continue to buy prescription drugs from him in his new location.

"I've had a lot of faithful and good customers," he said.