Paul Cooper, today a co-owner, worked a the store with Bob Holbrook from 1974-1976 and left. But he wanted to come back to Morehead. Helen Holbrook, Bob's widow, decided to sell in May 1983 and Cooper became pharmacist and co-owner with his parents, Jesse and Lela Cooper (of Flemingsburg, KY).

Bob Holbrook wanted to provide a community pharmacy and Holbrook Drug has strived to be a part of the community and stock a variety of items as well as provides competent services.

To pay for a business is always a challenge, Cooper said, and larger stores come into our community. So being financially sound was difficult. As time passed and the business began to grow, they could put carpet down, do some repairs and pave the parking lot, etc. But day to day survival is always a challenge.

Holbrook Drug has added several new lines of products such as homemade fudge made in the store and jelly bellies which complement the old fashioned fountain.

Bob Holbrook's business had always enjoyed the fountain and current owners decided to keep it as areminder of the way business was done and should be doen today. Holbrook Drug offers many collectible lines such as Precious Moments, Snowbabies, Department 56 villages, including Snow Village, Dickents Village, Heritage Village, Christmas in the City, and North Pole. Added were Ashton Drake Dolls and Bradley Exchange Plates. Crystal and brass gifts and Hallmark cards are always a mainstay there.

"We hope to be able to compete with the big stores which are already located here," Cooper said. "We strive to provide good service and keep new products. We have added another pharmacist Jennifer Anderson to help us stay efficient. We strive to keep up to date with new developments in medicine and insurance claims. We hope that the future holds a place for us in the community.

"I hope that business in Rowan County will stay good and it should as we have new industrial growth. I aprpeciate our university for the business it contributes to our community. I appreciate our nurses and doctors and our hospital for the medical benefits to our community and all these things should help our overall economic growth," Cooper said.