IPC Member Spotlight: Stone Drug (Jackson, WY)
50 Years of Community, Care, and Commitment in Jackson, Wyoming
In Jackson, Wyoming, Stone Drug is more than a pharmacy. It’s a cornerstone. For 50 years, it has quietly anchored the community, adapting through decades of change while staying true to something far more enduring. Taking care of people.
For Laura Lee Nelson, pharmacy was never just a career path. It was something she grew up around. Her earliest memories involve the simple, everyday moments that shape a life. Pill bottles made for her grandfather. Watching her mom work as a pharmacy technician. Seeing firsthand how a drugstore can be a place of connection, comfort, and trust. Becoming a pharmacist felt natural and almost inevitable.
Laura Lee Nelson
Photo Credit: Jackson Hole News & Guide
What came next, though, was anything but planned.
After time away, Laura moved back to Jackson, a place she has always considered home. When the opportunity arose to purchase Stone Drug from a struggling owner, it wasn’t part of a long‑term business strategy or a carefully mapped plan. It was a moment that required instincts, courage, and a willingness to step in when her community needed her most. A few years later, after the previous owner passed away, Laura found herself fully owning the store and carrying forward a legacy that already meant a great deal to the town.
Today, Stone Drug stands as a rare accomplishment in independent pharmacy. Fifty years in business.
That longevity didn’t come easily. Like many independent owners, Laura has seen the industry change dramatically. She practiced pharmacy before generics became commonplace. She witnessed evolving pricing structures, reimbursement pressures, and a shift in how pharmacies are paid. In the past, the pharmacy could carry the rest of the store. Today, the entire business works together to support the pharmacy.
One of the biggest challenges she continues to face is reimbursement and cash flow, an issue all too familiar across independent pharmacy. Staffing has also become more difficult, especially in recent years, with fewer people willing to work retail hours and weekends. Still, Laura has stayed the course by doing what she’s always done. Adapting. Adjusting. And showing up.
The successes over 50 years tell a powerful story. One of Laura’s proudest accomplishments is implementing a bubble packaging system long before it became common practice. What started years ago has grown into a vital service for patients managing medications at home and in group living environments. It’s a tangible example of Stone Drug evolving ahead of the curve while keeping patient needs front and center.
But when Laura talks about success, she doesn’t point to technology or expansion alone. She points to people.
She talks about customers who are thankful the pharmacy is still there. Patients who value being able to talk to someone they know. People who don’t take Stone Drug for granted once they realize how much it matters to daily life in their community.
That’s also what sets Stone Drug apart in an increasingly crowded pharmacy landscape.
The store is approachable. Conversations happen easily. Lines are short. Insurance is handled just like anywhere else, but with a personal touch that larger competitors can’t replicate. The front end of the store is expansive and thoughtfully curated, offering everything from sporting goods and greeting cards to support socks and braces. It’s the kind of place where customers can find what they need and a few things they didn’t know they were looking for.
As the industry continues to evolve, Laura remains optimistic yet realistic. She’s embraced pharmacy software that makes workflows easier for her team and improves patient interactions. Systems that are intuitive for younger staff and responsive to customer needs help Stone Drug stay relevant while honoring its roots.
When it comes to IPC, Laura values the cooperative’s role in helping support reimbursement and cash flow. While purchasing patterns may ebb and flow, the support behind the scenes plays an important role in keeping her doors open and her business moving forward.
Looking ahead, Laura’s goals are refreshingly honest.
She wants to keep going.
She wants Stone Drug to remain open, accessible, and independent for the community that depends on it. After 50 years, continuing to serve patients in Jackson feels like both an achievement and a responsibility.
And outside the pharmacy, Laura enjoys life the same way many of her customers do. Running, camping, gardening, and finding balance beyond the counter. It’s a reminder that independent pharmacy owners aren’t just business leaders. They’re neighbors, caretakers, and community members first.
Stone Drug’s story is one of resilience, humility, and quiet impact. Fifty years in business is no small feat. It’s a testament to what happens when dedication meets community and when independent pharmacies are given the chance to do what they do best.
Take care of people.
