AJ Hartig Completes Pharmacy School

A.J. Hartig completes schooling at Northwestern University's School of Pharmacy and is licensed to practice pharmacy in Iowa.

AJ Hartig Takes Over T.W. Reute

In May of 1904 Otto Ruete who was in a state of failing health, handed over the management of his pharmacy to his apprentice AJ Hartig. At the time AJ was only 22 years of age and had just graduated from pharmacy school.

First Hartig Drug Store

After acquiring the drug store from Otto Ruete, AJ rebranded the store with his name.  This location became the first Hartig Drug store at 97 Locust St. in Dubuque, Iowa.  From the beginning it was clear that AJ was not going to run your average drug store.

AJ Hartig at First Hartig Location

AJ Hartig standing inside the first Hartig Drug location at First and Locust streets in Dubuque, Iowa.

AJ's Sister Becomes a Pharmacist

As a pioneering woman in this area, Olga Hartig was one of a handful of Iowa women to have graduated from college, and to have become a pharmacist like her brother.

Second Store Opens

In 1912, AJ opens his second location in East Dubuque, IL and makes history by putting his sister Olga in charge.

Olga Serves as Pharmacist

Olga Hartig serves as pharmacist in the East Dubuque store.  Olga had previously been a school teacher and principal.

Third Location Opens

Customers line up by the thousands to shop at Hartig Drug's third location at 630 Main Street in Dubuque - Iowa.  Over 14,000 customers are served in the first 2 days.

1925 700 Block of Main

In 1925, the Main Street store moves one block to 756 Main.  Hartig Drug continues to grow in popularity and becomes a household name throughout the tri-states.

Stock Market Crashes

With the US economy in recession and businesses closing, customers turn to AJ Hartig for help.  Through innovative business practices, AJ would help people get back to good health by bartering medicine for food and other farm commodities.

Family Business

In June of 1932, AJ's son David joins the family business after graduating from business school at Northwestern.

New Acquisition

In the midst of the great depression Hartig Drug acquires the former Dan J Haas Drug store located at 25th and Central in Dubuque, Iowa.

Surviving Hard Times

AJ continues to help people through hard times and serves as a compassionate business owner and "friend."

Ken Joins Family Business

In 1940, the family business grows again when Ken Hartig returns from pharmacy school at Drake University. Shortly after, Ken is called to serve his country.

Self-serve Store Opens

In 1941, Hartig doubles the size of its Main Street store giving Dubuque its first self serve drug store.  In the first two days, over 10,000 customers visited the store.  The store remained at that location for the next 30 years.

Post Office

Customers wait in line at the Post Office Annex of the new Main Street location in Dubuque, Iowa.  Providing customers with convenience such as postal services, is an important part of Hartig Drug's dedication to the community.

Central Ave Store Moves

The Central Avenue Hartig Drug location moves to 24th and Central in Dubuque Iowa.

End of War

Following the end of the second world war, Ken returns to join the family business.  The two brothers guide Hartig Drug to steady growth.

Low Prices Always

Pea shooters make their way onto Hartigs shelves at just 5 cents each!

New Store Built

In 1950, Hartig purchased a building and parking lot adjacent of the original location and built a new store at 1st and Locust Street.

Celebrating 50 Years

Hartig Drug Celebrates 50 years in service.  The three Hartig men continued to grow the business by adding a store in Oelwein and by moving the Central Avenue store to the former Capital Theatre at 22nd and Central.

Central Ave Store Relocates

The Central Avenue Hartig's Store moves again.  This time to 22nd and Central, site of the Old Capital Theatre.

Flood of 1965

Hartig's at 1st and Locust during the 1965 flood.

Ken Hartig Purchases All Stock

In 1970, Dave Hartig retires and Ken & Helen Hartig purchase all company stock to become sole owners.

JFK Location

An 11,000 square-foot west Dubuque location opens in the Asbury Square Shopping Center on John F Kennedy Road.

Dick Hartig Joins Family Business

Dick Hartig was about to graduate from pharmacy school when his father Ken suddenly passed away at the age of 54.  With the death of his father, he struggled with a difficult decision to follow his dreams or return home to work in the family business.  His sense of family and history led him to Dubuque to join his mother Helen and brother Ken Jr. in running the family business.

Galena Location Opens

In April of 1975, Hartig Drug Stores opened a store in historic Galena Illinois amid its unique environment of yesteryear.  Less than five years later, in December of 1979, the Galena location was moved across the street to 213 North Main.

Hartig Purchases Holscher's Apothecary

In 1977, Hartig Drug Company purchased Holscher's Apothecary, with stores located at 11th & Main and at 1298 Dodge Street.  In 1980, both of these operations were combined to form Hartig Homecare, a pharmacy and home health store, which was located at John F. Kennedy Road and Pennsylvania Avenue on Dubuque's west side.  In January of 1992, Hartig Homecare had outgrown its space and was split into two divisions- Hartig Homecare and Hartig Nursing Home Services.

Dyersville Location Opens

In November of 1985, Hartig opened a 10,000-square-foot store in Dyersville Iowa.

Locust Street Relocation

The Locust Street Hartig Drug location relocates to the corner of 2nd and Locust Streets in Dubuque Iowa.  The store currently remains at this location today.

Delhi Street Location Opens

Iowa City Location Opens

Hartig Drug expands into the Iowa City, Iowa market.

Central Avenue Expansion

The Central Avenue store in Dubuque, Iowa is completely renovated and expanded.

Finley-Hartig Homecare

Hartig Homecare enters joint venture with Finley Hospital creating Finley-Hartig Homecare.

Galena Store Relocates

Galena, Illinois store moves from downtown to brand new location on Highway 20.

Stockton Location Acquired

Hartig Drug acquires Woods Pharmacy in Stockton, IL.  This pharmacy is later moved one block away on 12/14/2015 to its current location at 117 N. Main Street.  Current location is pictured.

Waukon Location

In 2000, Regan's Pharmacy in Waukon, Iowa is acquired by Hartig Drug.

Independence Location

Family Pharmacy in Independence, Iowa is acquired by Hartig Drug.  Hartig Drug remodeled the store and expanded the product selection to give the residents of Independence a convenient shopping option.

Platteville Location

In 2003, Hartig Drug acquires Berg Pharmacy in Platteville, WI.  The store would operate in the original location until December 5th of 2010 when it moved to its current location at 180 West Pine Street.  Current location is pictured.

Fennimore Location

Fennimore Pharmacy in Fennimore, Wisconsin is acquired by Hartig Drug.

100 Year Celebration

Hartig Drug Celebrates 100 years of service to the tri-states and holds a large event at Washington park in Dubuque.  The festivities include face painting, pony rides, prizes, food and other entertainment.

Lancaster Location

Hartig Drug expands its footprint in southwest Wisconsin with a store in Lancaster.

Prairie du Chien Location

Hartig Drug ventures farther north into Wisconsin with a pharmacy acquisition in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.  This location will become Hartig Drugs 4th active pharmacy in the state.

Prophetstown Location

Hartig Drug opens a pharmacy in Prophetstown Illinois on September 21st of 2006.  The city had previously gone without a pharmacy for many years.

Delhi Street Relocation

In March of 2007, Hartig Drug relocated its Delhi Street location to a new state of the art building at the corner of University and Grandview Avenues in Dubuque, Iowa.  In addition to offering a wide variety of product offerings, this location offers customers a convenient postal annex, an American Trust banking branch and a full service Cafe (AJ's Cafe) named after our founder, AJ Hartig.

JFK Store Relocation

The JFK Hartig Drug location in Dubuque relocates a few doors down to the northern section of the Asbury Square Shopping Center.  This larger, 15,000 square foot location is updated with modern design, technology and product offerings.

Darlington Location

Whitford Pharmacy in Darlington, Wisconsin was acquired by Hartig Drug.  The merging of these two family owned businesses will allow the families in Lafayette County to continue to receive the best patient care possible.

Phillips Pharmacy Acquisition

Hartig Drug Company acquires three Phillips Pharmacies located in Belle Plaine, Williamsburg and Monticello, Iowa. 

Savanna Location

Hartig Drug Company acquires Stout's Drug Store located in Savanna, Illinois and moves it to a newly remodeled location at 218 Chicago Avenue in Savanna