'No choice:' Cary's Ashworth Drugs closes after more than 65 years

After 67 years, a beloved and historic staple in downtown Cary is closing its doors.

Sitting at the corner of Chatham and Academy streets, Ashworth Drugs has been in the heart of downtown Cary for decades. A notice on the front door of the store confirmed the closure and said prescription records are available at two Cary Walgreens locations.

Ralph Ashworth, owner and founder, said he's disappointed to close the store he and his wife Daphne started so many years ago. However, his son Paul, who has managed the store for around 30 years, wants to retire.

"He was the second generation," said Ashworth. "We have no third generation."

He said nobody was interested in taking over, or else didn't have the money.

Ashworth says he's saddened for all the disappointed customers, many of whom have spent countless afternoons eating lunch at the Ashworth's fountain or swapping stories with Ralph Ashworth.

He says he's seen third and fourth generation children coming through his store.

"I feel sad. I feel like we are letting so many of them down," he said. "But I have no choice. I have to live with it. Everything has a sunset to it. Nothing is forever."

He's watched as Downtown Cary has grown all around Ashworth Drugstore since it opened in 1957.

"Back then, we were in the center of Cary. I was selling bus tickets to New York, Maine. We were the Western Union," he said. "Cary was a sleepy little town of around 2,000 people. Now it’s 182,000. The dynamics have changed tremendously."

Ashworth will re-open the front and fountain temporarily

For locals hoping to taste one last Ashworth's hot dog or get a piece of Ashworth history for themselves, the store will re-open later this month to sell the front stock.

Ashworth says it's mandatory for them to stay closed two weeks. Soon after, they plan to open their doors to sell the rest of their front stock -- and allow customers to re-live a little nostalgia.

"I have made arrangements for Al to come back, and we are planning to have the fountain open for that week," he said. "Probably hot dogs and ice cream, not the sandwiches. We’ll just have to see how that plays out. We need to sell all that front merchandise."

What will happen to the Ashworth's building?

Ashworth, who has been going to his store every morning for nearly 70 years, says he'll miss the people.

"Some employees have been there over 30 years, such long-standing and faithful people," he said. "I’ve just loved them all."

Ashworth says you'll still see him around Downtown Cary. He's still involved with the Chamber of Commerce and the church and a number of other things. He still cares deeply about Cary.

"Some of them will still have to put up with me and my bad jokes," he laughed.

He says since he owns the building, it'll remain standing and he will find something new to do with it.

"We'll find something we all like," he said. "I guarantee you everybody's going to like what we put there. There's a number of options."

Plus, he still uses the upstairs for Hallmark stock and his personal office.

Most of all, Ashworth says he just appreciates all the incredible memories he's made along the way.

"I’d thank all the people who have been coming all these years," he said.