Brent’s Drugs opened in 1946 in the first shopping center in Mississippi. Pharmacist Alvin Brent opened it as a pharmacy and soda fountain. It was successful as both and in 1977 he sold it to a pair of pharmacists that had worked there since 1951. Pharmacist Randy Calvert bought them out in 1995 and then sold the pharmacy business in 2009 and the soda fountain became the property of Brad Reeves. The large kitchen was moved into the old pharmacy space but the fountain and bar stools remained where they had been since 1946. The kitchen was separated by a low wood wall that you could look over when you walked back the bathrooms. The large space now has booth seating on 3 rows opposite those stools. In the back is the Apothecary, a classic cocktail bar which I didn’t explore but heard about from those we mentioned Brent’s to. Service was friendly but slow. They did offfer a number of custom shake flavors which could be fun to try. It’s a piece of Jackson history with ice cream treats – don’t miss it. Continue reading
