After 67 years, Long's Drug Store, one of Knoxville's oldest restaurants, is closing its doors.
Located at 4604 Kingston Pike in Bearden, Long's Drug Store opened in 1956 and has provided prescriptions, burgers and milkshakes to the area since then.
The final day of business will be Jan. 16, according to a Jan. 2 Facebook post.
The post cited the increasing control insurance companies have over health care compared to when Long's Drug Store opened.
"In addition to these changes over the years, the pandemic was an especially challenging season for us. Despite our best efforts to continue serving our community, unfortunately, our business model can no longer continue financially in this new landscape. Ultimately, this is the hardest decision we’ve ever made," the post read.
Long's was founded when Clarence Long was approached about opening a new pharmacy in one of Knoxville's first shopping centers. He opened it with another pharmacist, John Benson. The business was sold to Jim Peck in the 1960s after Long died, and the business has been maintained by Hank Peck and the Peck family in the same location since then.
"We are so deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and loved the drugstore over these last six decades. Before we close, please come by and see us for a burger and a milkshake or just to say hello. Thank you for trusting us with your health and the health of your families for more than 60 years," the post read.
Long's Drug Store is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Sunday.
Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Long's Drug Store restaurant on Kingston Pike in Knoxville will close