End of an era for Zoss Drug

Jennifer Simonson, Star Tribune

Pharmacist Barry Zoss, right, leaned in to say good-bye to long-time customer Dorothy Larson, of Minnetonka, on Monday afternoon, the drugstore's last day in business.

Tough economic times have led to the end of an era for Zoss Drug, an independent pharmacy honored by the filmmaking Coen brothers and beloved by its customers.

By ALLIE SHAH, Star Tribune

Last update: October 27, 2009 - 12:18 AM

Print this story

Follow local news on Twitter

Zoss Drug, a fixture in the west metro area since 1950 with a name now immortalized by the Coen brothers, filled its last prescription on Monday. The independent pharmacy closed after nearly four years in its current location in Minnetonka's Glen Lake neighborhood. Economic woes caused its demise.

"We've never been able to reach a volume of business to break even, let alone make a profit," said Dale Riley, owner of Fresh Seasons market and Zoss Drug, which operated inside the store.

Monday was the toughest of days for pharmacist Barry Zoss, who had worked hard to revive the old family pharmacy after closing once before.

"I feel like I let the neighborhood down," he said.

News of the closing also proved to be a bitter pill for his customers, many of whom stopped by Monday to fill their prescriptions one last time and bid farewell to the old store.

"I just walked up here to say goodbye," said Susie Ayers, who lives in the neighborhood.

She grew up in St. Louis Park and remembers visiting the original Zoss Drug store run by Barry's legendary father, Mike Zoss. Mike Zoss prided himself on his personal touch, treating his customers like family. He taught his son to do the same.

Barry Zoss greeted customers by their first names, inquired about their families and often drove out to their homes to deliver prescriptions.

Back in the 1960s, filmakers Joel and Ethan Coen would get dropped off by their mother at Mike Zoss' drugstore on Minnetonka Boulevard when she went grocery shopping. Mike Zoss kept an eye on them, not once hollering at them as they played in the store.

About 10 years ago, Barry Zoss got a call from Frances McDormand, Joel Coen's wife, asking if it would be OK if the Coens renamed their production company as Mike Zoss Productions in honor of his father.

And their award-winning film, "No Country for Old Men," featured a pharmacy called "Mike Zoss Drugs."

Barry ran his drugstore in the Glen Lake neighborhood for 17 years before selling it to Snyders, which closed at that location earlier this year.

About four years ago, when the Fresh Seasons opened, the owners asked Barry Zoss to come back to run the store's pharmacy under the name Zoss Drug.

Although Zoss Drug is now closed for business, its doors will remain open through Wednesday so that Zoss can greet customers one last time before moving on.

He, along with two other pharmacists and three pharmacy technicians from Zoss, have been hired by the Walgreens on Hwy. 7 in Hopkins.

All customer prescriptions have been sent to Walgreens, too.

"I just feel so sad, honest to God," Ayers said, patting Zoss' cheek protectively.

He shrugged. "Can't help it. It's a sign of the times."

Allie Shah • 612-673-4488

Recent West Metro stories

Psych hospital cited after officer's gun went off - October 27, 2009

Psych hospital cited after officer's gun went off - A policeman wasn't asked to remove his handgun before getting into a tussle with a suicidal patient who got control of the weapon last April. State officials say the Annandale facility is now in compliance. More