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Keeping pace with a changing America

From radios to road trips to the rise of suburbs, see how Walgreens grew up right alongside the country.

Charles -Chuck- R. Walgreen Jr. and later Charles -Cork- R. Walgreen III

Jun 23, 2026

7 min read

Guided by growth, grounded in service—from the 1930s through the 1980s and beyond.

As America entered an era of unparalleled change—radio gave way to TVs, suburbs spread outward and cars reshaped daily life—so did Walgreens. Under the leadership of Charles “Chuck” R. Walgreen Jr. and later Charles “Cork” R. Walgreen III, the company didn’t just adapt to the times, it helped set the pace.

This was the period when Walgreens expanded beyond its roots as a regional drugstore chain and became a familiar presence in communities nationwide, woven into daily routines amid decades of cultural, economic and technological transformation.

Growing with the country

From the Great Depression through postwar prosperity, Walgreens steadily expanded its footprint. New stores opened in cities and small towns alike, and acquisitions of local pharmacies extended the brand’s reach across the U.S.

Through an agency system active from the 1930s through the 1980s, independent druggists in rural communities carried Walgreens merchandise while receiving operational support from the company. For customers, it meant familiar products on local shelves. For Walgreens, it reinforced a belief that growth worked best when grounded in community.

A new way to shop

In 1952, as America embraced cars, suburbia and modern retail, Walgreens reshaped the in-store experience by opening its first self-service store, following pilots in three Midwest locations.

Gone were the days of waiting for a clerk behind a counter while orders were fetched from shelves out of sight. Instead, customers could stroll the aisles, compare products and make choices on their own terms—an approach that reflected the independence of these years.

As self-service took hold, packaging, signage and displays became more important than ever. The results were immediate.

Looking back, Chuck Walgreen described it as a turning point: “It was then and there that we decided we would never again open a conventional store.”

In 1984, Walgreens opened its 1,000th store, at 1200 N. Dearborn in Chicago.

Beyond the counter

The ambition of the middle of the century extended beyond pharmacy walls. In 1946, Walgreens acquired a stake in Mexico’s upscale Sanborns retailer, marking an early step into international business. In 1962, the company entered the discount department store market with Globe stores, reflecting evolving consumer habits.

Walgreens also experimented with restaurants—natural extensions of its earlier lunch counters. From Corky’s fast-food locations to Wag’s 24-hour eateries and even the medieval-themed Robin Hood restaurants, the company tested new ways to serve customers during an age when convenience and novelty mattered.

Growth with responsibility

These decades brought landmark achievements. Walgreens surpassed $1 billion in annual sales in 1975 and opened its 1,000th store in 1984—milestones that reflected both scale and staying power.

Just as significant was the company’s growing role in public health. In 1968, Walgreens became the first major drugstore chain to place all prescriptions in child-resistant containers—a decision that prioritized safety and would later become an industry standard. And in 1984, Walgreens became the first major drugstore chain to connect all of its pharmacy departments via satellite, ensuring patients could access their prescriptions from any of its stores.

Convenience, reimagined

That forward-thinking approach continued into the late 20th century. As lifestyles sped up and cars became central to daily life, Walgreens once again redefined convenience with the introduction of the drive-thru pharmacy.

Launched in Indianapolis in 1992, the drive-thru was part of a larger strategy to return to the best corners of “Main and Main,” with freestanding stores designed for easy access. It was a modern solution rooted in a long-standing idea: Meet customers where they are.

From the swing of the 1930s to the pace of the 1980s and beyond, Walgreens laid the groundwork for the modern, community-centered company it is today—and the one it continues to become.

A mug for every milestone

In 1997, Walgreens created a commemorative mug featuring the original Walgreens drugstore storefront from 1901. Designed by Walgreens team member and artist Katherine Bennett, it was shared with team members as a holiday gift from President Dan Jorndt and CEO Charles R. Walgreen III.

The store opening mug tradition began in 1998, celebrating the opening of Walgreens’ 1,000th store and continued with mugs marking the 2,000th, 3,000th, 4,000th and 5,000th store milestones, each distributed free to team members at the time. A special edition honoring Ivar “Pop” Coulson’s creation of the Double Rich Chocolate Malted Milk in 1922, designed by Walgreens designer Elina Belgorodsky, celebrates another defining moment in Walgreens history.

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