Docs Just of 66 – a Girard Mainstay!

By Cindy Ladage

Docs has been a mainstay in the town of Girard for many years. Beginning as a pharmacy, Decks Drugstore opened on March 7, 1884. The drugstore continued through three generations. Brothers Bob and Bill Deck wrapped up 117 years of continuous operation as a family pharmacy. In 2007, Bob and Renee Ernst bought the store and opened Docs Soda Fountain. December of 2021 Casey and Steve Claypool bought Docs.

It’s a fun story, how they came to buy Docs. Casey said, “We were on a weekend Route 66 roadtrip in June of 2021. We stopped for soda - they are members of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.  Casey is also the Executive Director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, so she knew about Doc’s Soda Fountain.

After enjoying the ambience, they continued on their way. Soon after Casey found out the soda fountain was going up for sale.  The Byway was aware of the sale and helped advertise its sale on their media channels.

Casey turned to her then fiancé and said, “What do you think?”

Steve’s response was, “About what?”

Casey was considering buying the old pharmacy & soda fountain. She said, “I had a vision, it had lots of potential, so we walked through it to see what we needed.  We were married in August of 2021, and on our honeymoon, we decided to buy it.”

In December of 2021, the couple closed on the sale of Doc’s Soda Fountain. Casey and Steve started their newlywed life by opening on June 18, 2022. “It took six months of renovating.  The building has never been closed for any length of time. We took both buildings down to the studs and over fifty percent of the floor beams were replaced. The building was in really good shape structurally because it had been constantly inhabited.”

“We took out all but the marble soda fountain and the bar behind it that was installed in 1929. Those were the only things we didn’t touch,” Casey said.

The south building that had served as overflow seating in part was converted to a commercial kitchen and our main dining room; a full bar and gaming was also added.

While most of the renovation went smoothly, Casey said, “We had a couple hiccups, for example, sheetrock had almost tripled in cost. We were over budget, and with some unexpected costs, it turned out to be a bigger undertaking than we planned, but in the end, we were pleased with the way it looks.”

Adding to the fun, Docs has offered live music since January of 2024 on Friday and Saturday nights, and they have just started offering music Bingo. On the 3rd Thursday, May - September, they have a Classic Car Cruise from 5 -8 p.m. This has been a big success, Casey said, “This was the 3rd summer we have been doing it. We have had upwards of 75 cars.”

Another fun activity they have offered recently is Blind Date with a Book. “We pair up with the Sly Fox.  We individually wrap 85 books and put the genre on the package.  Customers come to Docs to eat and drink. They pay $15 to $18 for a book, and George Rishel, the owner of Sly Fox, gets the proceeds.” Docs offered this in November, and another Blind Date with a book is planned for February 6th.  This event is held during the winter months when people read more. Docs also offers Holiday themed events and just started hosting Lunch & Learns on Sunday afternoons. “We did one recently,” Casey said, “with Dr. Arlen N. Magelitz about back pain.”

Another topic they are planning is Holistic Healing with Nita Hamilton, the owner of Neatos Elements in Virden.  “We also had wreath making event with the Rooted Home from Farmersville; they will host another wreath making event and it’ll be on March 2nd. There is a lot to be said for the benefits of collaborating with others,” she said.

Casey has three daughters, one youngest is 14, attends SHG and plays softball and rides horses, the middle daughter, Mary is a full-time baker at the Apple Barn in Chatham and a student at Lincoln Land, and the oldest, Madalyn is 24, and the general manager of Docs. “She is who keeps it running.”

Each evening, Docs offers a nightly dinner special that ranges from steak and pork chops to fish and pasta.  “We have a smaller menu, “Casey said, “There are no grease fryers, so everything is fresh, homemade and never frozen. Hamburgers, steaks, pork chops and chicken are all cooked fresh and that takes time. When you come in you get good quality, a lot of effort and great stuff.”

They’re continuing to enhance Docs! “We’re adding an outdoor seating area with a bar, and eventually, food will be available outside as well. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, these improvements are underway. Whether you're in the mood for a drink, ice cream, a delicious meal, or a comfortable outdoor seating area, come visit Docs!"

Docs is open days that many others are closed with both Monday and Tuesday hours. They are closed on Wednesday but are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11-8, and Sunday 11-3.

Docs is a popular Route 66 stop especially with the history of Decks, a great draw! She said the pharmacy museum has doubled in size.  “When we bought it, a couple had all the original cabinets that once were in the drug store, so we bought them, and brought them back home. We also brought more down from the 2nd floor to put on display.  Everything you see on display is original to Deck’s Drugstore; the Deck family threw nothing away.”

One of Casey’s favorite things about Docs is the incredible people she and Steve have met along the way. “I absolutely love the friends we’ve made. Our customers and the local support have been amazing,” she shared. “However, this past year has been challenging with rising food costs, taxes, and staffing struggles. Marketing and advertising have also been difficult, it’s not easy making sure everyone in Girard and the surrounding communities knows we’re here. But we’re not alone in this, and we keep pushing forward because we believe in the story we’re building. I know this will be a big success, and one day, our goal is to look back and say, ‘Remember how it used to be?’

Casey and Steve are already seeing some revitalization of the Girard square, a dream that they have and one of the main reasons they bought Docs.  A new business, Junque Revival, and a new Mexican restaurant are some of the latest additions. “Casey’s message for keeping small towns thriving is simple: “Shop local and support your community. When you’re hungry, think about where you live—eat at local restaurants, shop at local stores, and the money stays in your town. People often prioritize convenience and fast food, but small towns embrace a slower, more personal pace. Small businesses-built America, just like Deck’s Drugstore, and they continue to be the heart of our communities.”.

For more information, check out their website at www.docsjustoff66.com.