Pies & Prescriptions: West Jefferson cafe inside pharmacy thrives

WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — People is the first word in their name. It’s easy to spot from the road or even standing below their counter.

“People is key, we don’t have fancy drive-thrus or robots back here,” said Aletha Eller.

They’re all about the people at People’s Drug in West Jefferson.

But, like people, first impressions rarely paint the full picture.

“If it’s their first time, they’ll come up and try the door and say, we could find the pharmacy on the GPS,” said Marlene Gaines.

Just past the pharmacy counter is a different counter inside ‘People’s Drug.’ For decades, Louise’s Sweet T Café has been inside of the pharmacy. They have a fix for most of life’s problems there.

“They solve a lot of the world’s problems off of 67 cents of coffee every morning,” said Aletha.

Aletha is a pharmacist and does the prescriptions. Marlene, the café manager, does the homemade pies.

“I started off with a piece of butterscotch pie. Russel and I both did because if you don’t get it early, there’s none left,” said Stephen Shoemaker.

Stephen is a regular at the café, it’s been the hometown spot for decades.

“It might be your first time sitting here, but you’re probably going to make a friend before you leave,” said Marlene.

That friend may just be a famous painter who captured the most important part of this place.

“It’s the fellowship with the people, you get to come in contact with every morning, that’s what it’s all about,” said Stephen, while gesturing to his well-loved painting of the café. It’s full of the regulars who make ‘People’s Drug’ and ‘Louise’s Sweet T Café’ what it is.

While first impressions rarely tell the whole story, the first word in this story in their name says all you need to know.

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