Celebrating 94 Years of Memories

Roland Carvel (R.C.) Hoskins had a dream of opening a drug store in the town of Clinton. In April of 1930, his dream became reality with the purchase of an existing drug store on Market Street. It was the first of 13 stores started by RC Hoskins and became a full service soda fountain, pharmacy, and beauty shop. The sign placed outside the building read "Hoskins Drugs" and was lit brightly with neon lights and painted blue and white.

At dusk the sign was lit up and was not turned off until Mr. Hoskins stepped outside and looked up and down the sidewalk to make sure no one was coming his way. There were days that it would stay on till 11:00pm. This location is now the home of “Hoskins in the Flat” and still owned and operated by the Hoskins family. 

"The drug store of tomorrow" was the headline of the June 12, 1947 Clinton Courier Newspaper. RC Hoskins was opening his second drug store location in the town of Clinton. Being one of the first Rexall Drug Stores and "super stores" it was breaking into an industry that hadn't seen such innovation before.

R.C. Hoskins eventually operated 13 stores in East Tennessee. Owners Dudley Hoskins Bostic and Mollie Hoskins Scarbrough are the daughters of Roland Carvel Hoskins and Katherine Jenkins Hoskins and hold true to their parents' business practices.

R.C. Hoskins once said that customer service is what keeps the store prosperous. Dudley and Mollie and their staff are willing to go above and beyond for their customers, who are more like family and certainly friends.

On December 4th, 1998 Hoskins Drug Store #2 Inc. was added to the National Register of Historical Places.

The original wooden, high backed booths and even the original wooden crown molding is still in place, along with the authentic soda fountain still serving daily blue plate specials and ice cream favorites.

If these walls could tell the stories of its past it would fill volumes. Class reunions, birthday parties, court business, and lunch dates are a few of the happenings that occur on a regular basis.

The Hoskins family also operates their one of a kind gifts and custom faux floral arrangements in their first Market Street location, "Hoskins in the Flat" and their new Medical Supply Store next to Hoskins Drug Store on Main Street.

The Hoskins family is thankful for the honor of being a family owned and operated business for the past 97 years and especially thankful to the wonderful community of Clinton for their loyalty and continued support.

 

“Whether you are looking for a

refreshment from our authentic 1940ʼs

soda fountain, a prescription from our

pharmacy or home medical equipment

sales and rentals, Hoskins Drug Store

is proud to serve you!”

-Dudley Hoskins Bostic & Mollie Hoskins Scarbrough