Family Drug

Information may not be reliable

November 2, 1952 was the date that Family Drug first opened it’s doors at 1825 Old Sonoma Road in Napa. Located in the Food City Shopping Center, it was a part of the first shopping center in Napa. At that time, the center was at the edge of town and Old Sonoma Road was the main highway between Napa and Sonoma.

Mary Doud, who was born of Italian immigrant parents, first opened Family Drug and worked daily as the Pharmacist and managed the rest of the store. She was particularly proud of her fine cosmetics department which featured extensive lines by Germain Monteil, Elizabeth Arden, Christian Dior and Chanel. Mary also built the largest fragrance department of any store in the Napa Valley offering more than 200 selections for both men and women.

In 1976 Mary hired a new pharmacist, Tom Gracia, who was a recent graduate of the University of Iowa. He took over the management of the pharmacy while Mary further developed her cosmetic and fragrance business, as well as working as a pharmacist. Family Drug continued to be a cornerstone of the business community and a supporter of many community groups and activities in Napa.

Mary Doud worked daily at the pharmacy until she became ill in early 1992 and passed away later that year. This year marks 50 years that Family Drug has been providing continuous health care service for the Napa community. Currently, it truly is a family as Gracia has two of his sisters working with him, as well as his two sons, two nieces, and his mother who work part-time. Besides the family there are 18 other employees, some that have been with Mary, and now Tom, for over 30 years.

Family Drug is in the same shopping center on Old Sonoma Road where it first opened in 1952 and maintains it's reputation for helping the community. Some of the special programs that Family Drug participates in to support the Napa community include Hospice of Napa Valley, California Children Services, the CHDP program, and the HIV Network. Family Drug has always offered prescription delivery and continues to serve the sick and elderly, who cannot get out, with this service. Tom Gracia and his staff truly do live up to the name "Good Neighbor Pharmacy".