EVERETT — When Jim Youngquist graduated from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in 1959, he landed a job at Mullen’s Pharmacy in downtown Everett.
On Friday, nearly 45 years later, he officially retired from the one business where he spent his entire career.
"It’s going to be a whole lot different here," said John Somers, a pharmacist who has worked for more than three decades with 67-year-old Youngquist. "He’s going to be missed."
Dozens of customers and former colleagues attended a retirement party at Providence Youngquist Pharmacy Friday afternoon to wish Youngquist well. Some of the customers have remained loyal to his business for decades, citing the service he and his employees have given them.
"It’s been real good to have a hometown pharmacist who was willing to get up in the middle of the night and get you what you needed or give you free advice," said Lloyd Drake of Everett. He and his wife have been customers since 1969.
That was the year that Youngquist, after working for the locally owned Mullen Pharmacies for nearly 10 years, bought the business and renamed it Youngquist Pharmacy. Initially, his brother Jon, who lives in Lake Stevens, was a partner in the enterprise.
At the time Youngquist bought it, the business included two locations on Colby Avenue and one at 900 Pacific Ave. on the west side of Providence Everett Medical Center’s Pacific Campus.
The two Colby locations closed after a few years, but Youngquist Pharmacy remained on Pacific Avenue until he sold his business to Providence in 2000. At that time, the business moved just south of the hospital on Nassau Street to make way for the hospital’s new Pavilion for Women and Children.
Since selling to Providence, Youngquist has reduced his hours at the business. But even in retirement, he said he won’t totally stop working there. After a month off, he’ll be on call to fill in as needed.
Somers was among those who struggled not to get emotional about Youngquist’s departure from the business.
"He’s been a great person to work for," he said. "He’s made a lot of personal sacrifices over the years to keep the business going and to keep people employed."
Over the years, Youngquist often allowed patients to pay late or even wrote off their drugs when they were unable to pay, Somers said.
"With the big chains, you don’t see that happening anymore," he said.
Youngquist said when he started as a pharmacist, Everett had only independent pharmacies. That changed dramatically over time, and he was one of the last independents left in Everett when he sold the business.
"The service and the way we treat people are what kept us alive," he said.
Susan Youngquist, his wife, said the couple should have more time to travel, do yardwork and pursue their interests now that he has retired. She also will ease her schedule at her job in the business office at The Everett Clinic this spring.
While Jim Youngquist declared that it was time for him to retire, his co-workers and brother said they think he may have trouble getting used to it.
"We’ll find out," Youngquist said. "Come Monday morning, I’ll probably think it’s time to go to work."
Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.
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