Gus’s Drug continues to take care of Georgetown

Gus’s Drug has been a part of Georgetown’s landscape along East University Avenue since it was opened by Gus Steeken in 1955.  Now owned by Amanda and Mark Bradley — who took over the pharmacy 10 years ago in 2014 — Gus’s continues to provide personalized service to the community as Georgetown continues to grow around it.

The couple also owns three independent pharmacies in East Texas. In each case, they have retained the store’s original name and character, while providing personable service. 

“We have a passion for keeping local pharmacies alive in a community,” Ms. Bradley said. “There are big box pharmacies on every corner. We feel strongly that there is something to be said for having independent, small, highly personalized service in the pharmacy space.”

Gus’s head pharmacist Neil Jesko said his past experience at chain pharmacies showed him that it was difficult to consult with patients. At Gus’s, they are able to take the time to meet with those they serve. 

“I always try to be available as a pharmacist,” he said. “That’s one of the main reasons that I left that type of [big-box store] career and moved over to this. I felt really passionate about being involved and trying to keep community businesses alive and working.” 

One of the groups he works with frequently is students from Southwestern. He said he’s made deliveries to dorms and met students on campus for consultations in the past. 

“We have a lot of students at Southwestern who are new to being independent, and they need some help trying to figure out what they need to do to [get medications] on their own.” Mr. Jesko said. “It’s [about] finding out what a patient needs and meeting those needs as best as I can.” 

It’s all about providing “compassion and care for one person at a time,” Ms. Bradley said. While Mr. Jesko is in charge of running the pharmacy side of things, Ms. Bradley is in charge of community outreach. One of the biggest projects she’s worked on over the past decade was getting two murals painted onto the side of the Gus’s building. 

Created by artist Sarah Blankenship,  the murals can be seen when traveling east on University. The first mural reads “Greetings from Georgetown, Texas” in large capital letters. Different Georgetown landmarks — Lake Georgetown, the library,  Blue Hole Park, downtown buildings, the Field of Honor, the Shotgun House, the Palace Theatre, Southwestern University, GISD’s Hammerlun Center and the Williamson County Courthouse — are depicted in the letters. Next to it, a painting of red poppies bloom behind the vibrant rays; the large flowers continue in the mural on the right upon which “Red Poppy Capital” is inscribed.

“We wanted to celebrate that this pharmacy has been here since 1955. There’s no other pharmacy that can say that,” Ms. Bradley said. “We’re here, and we want to be a part of the community.”

Community members helped paint the design, including Gus Steeken’s descendants,  son Kent Steeken, granddaughter Lauryn Abraam, and great granddaughters Arlie and Avery Abraam. 

“I think the Bradley’s have done a wonderful job,” Kent Steeken said. “I just can’t say enough about them. They’re good people. I just think the world of Mark and Amanda.” 

Mr. Steeken remembers a time when he forgot to get his medicine on Saturday and was leaving for a vacation. He texted Mark, and someone came in to fill his medicine when the pharmacy was closed. 

“That just reminded me of my dad. That’s exactly what my dad would’ve done. That’s the kind of people they are.” Kent Steeken said.