The downtown Stuttgart staple Coker Hampton Drug Co. & Gift Shop has been providing for its community since 1928. The store includes a pharmacy, a wellness center and a curated selection of gifts.
Pharmacists Tommy Coker and Bill Hampton founded the store in 1928. One of the current owners, James Bethea, began working as a pharmacist at the shop in 1993 and purchased it from Jack Coker, son of Tommy, only four years later. James and his wife Kim have owned Coker Hampton ever since. They still offer the same hometown, friendly service that the loyal customers know and love.
“What I would give for Mr. Coker and Mr. Hampton to see their business legacy,” Kim says.
The store recently completed its largest renovation in 92 years when it expanded to the building next door. The wellness center and gift shop are now connected, which provides more room for customers and a wider selection of items. A new mural by Little Rock artist Matt McLeod depicting ducks on the nearby rice fields also decorates the outside of the building. Coker Hampton also added a new drive-thru to the building, which keeps the business safe and competitive since the coronavirus pandemic began.
“Business during a pandemic simply means you work harder and hustle the business even more,” Kim says. “Honestly, we are willing to do just about anything to meet the needs of our customers. We have tried to be a ‘bright spot’ again, because that is what people really need.”
