REX Drug-United

The Rex Drug Co was started on November 18, 1905 by a local physician, Dr. Judson Smith. Dr. Smith also became the town's first mayor when the town was incorporated in May 1907. The store was then located across the street in the Kaufman-Downey building. The original store was 20 feet wide and 50 feet deep, it had 2 aisles and was a general drug store with some gift items. James Ford bought the store from Dr. Smith in April of 1935. During the depression, James Ford and his wife ran the store. At that time the store was open seven days a week 12 hours a day except on Sunday when it was open from 9am to noon. The store closed the entire day on Sundays in the late 1950's. Milo Draper was hired as a pharmacist in February 1960, shortly after graduating from pharmacy school. The business moved to its current location in 1961, when Jim Ford built a new building for the store. Milo Draper bought a percentage of the business in 1971 and then took over in 1977 when Jim Ford retired. Milo was the sole owner of the store until August of 1994, when James Christensen purchased a portion the company. In July 2002, James Christensen became the sole owner of the drug store, and Milo Draper retired after working at the store for 42 years. James' son, Matthew Christensen, graduated from Pharmacy School in 2009 and started working as a pharmacist at the store. Matthew purchased a portion of the store in 2010. James and his wife left to fullfill 18 month church mission to Togo in western Africa in September 2013 and returned in March 2015 leaving Matthew and his wife to run the business during this time.