In 1904, at the age of 22, A.J. Hartig opened his first drugstore in his native Dubuque on the corner of 1st and Locust streets.  Hartig Drug continued growing through the early twentieth century by expanding the product line and winning over the Dubuque community.

Hartig Drug was an innovative company from the beginning, introducing such breakthroughs as the conversion from all over-the-counter shopping to “self-service,” with non-prescription items moved onto shelves throughout the store.  Today, Hartig Drug represents the state-of-the-art in filling prescriptions over the internet and through our popular full-service digital-photo department.

At Hartig Drug, we are proud of our rich history and the affiliation we have with each of the communities in which we operate.

Hartig Image collage - historical photos

Timeline

  • Portrait of AJ Hartig - Northwestern Graduation

    May 20, 1904

    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 in front of T.W. Ruete

    May 27, 1904

    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.

  • Image of the first Hartig Drug store

    September 1, 1904

    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 inside first Hartig location

    March 5, 1905

    AJ Hartig at First Hartig Location

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

  • Photograph of Olga Hartig

    May 20, 1912

    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.

  • 2nd Hartig Drug location - East Dubuque, IL

    June 19, 1913

    Second Store Opens

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

  • East Dubuque location - Olga Hartig

    September 12, 1913

    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 at 630 Main street in Dubuque, Iowa

    April 14, 1917

    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.

  • 700 block of Main street in 1925

    May 16, 1925

    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.

  • October 24, 1929

    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.

  • Dave Hartig

    June 10, 1932

    Family Business

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

  • February 23, 1934

    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.

  • AJ Hartig Photograph

    October 12, 1936

    Surviving Hard Times

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

  • Ken Hartig portrait

    May 20, 1940

    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.

  • Hartig Drug Self Serve Store - 736 Main St. - 1941

    August 24, 1941

    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.

  • Hartig Post office - Main St. - 1942

    October 16, 1942

    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.

  • 24th and Central Location Dubuque, Iowa - 1944

    May 15, 1944

    Central Ave Store Moves

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

  • 756 Main -  RX Department

    September 2, 1945

    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.

  • September 19, 1946

    Low Prices Always

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

  • July 7, 1950

    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.

  • 50 years of service newspaper

    June 4, 1954

    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.

  • 22nd and Central Ave. in Dubuque - 1954

    August 13, 1954

    Central Ave Store Relocates

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

  • 1st & Locust street - Flood of 1965

    April 26, 1965

    Flood of 1965

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

  • Ken Hartig

    February 1, 1970

    Ken Hartig Purchases All Stock

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

  • June 1, 1970

    JFK Location

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

  • Richard (Dick) Hartig - 1970's

    May 20, 1973

    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.

  • April 7, 1975

    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.

  • June 14, 1977

    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.

  • November 18, 1985

    Dyersville Location Opens

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

  • April 1, 1989

    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.

  • May 2, 1992

    Delhi Street Location Opens

  • July 27, 1997

    Iowa City Location Opens

    Hartig Drug expands into the Iowa City, Iowa market.

  • Central Avenue Hartig Drug Exterior

    June 1, 1999

    Central Avenue Expansion

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

  • November 1, 1999

    Finley-Hartig Homecare

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

  • Galena Illinois store - 2000

    March 20, 2000

    Galena Store Relocates

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

  • Hartig #11 - Stockton, IL.   117 N. Main street - 2015

    July 15, 2000

    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, Iowa Hartig Drug location photograph

    October 1, 2000

    Waukon Location

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

  • Hartig Drug - Independence, Iowa exterior photo

    December 31, 2002

    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, Wisconsin Hartig Drug exterior photo - 2015

    June 1, 2003

    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, Wisconsin Hartig Drug Exterior 2015

    May 1, 2004

    Fennimore Location

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

  • Photo of Dick Hartig at 100 year celebration held in Washington park in Dubuque.

    September 5, 2004

    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, Wisconsin Exterior Image - 2016

    January 1, 2006

    Lancaster Location

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

  • Prairie Du Chien - Hartig Drug Exterior Photo - 2016

    September 19, 2006

    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.

  • Image of Prophetstown, Illinois Hartig Drug store.  2012

    September 21, 2006

    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.

  • Hartig Drug Univeristy Avenue - Dubuque, Iowa.  Exterior Image

    March 27, 2007

    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 location interior image collage

    June 27, 2010

    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.

  • November 29, 2010

    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.

  • January 1, 2015

    Phillips Pharmacy Acquisition

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

  • Hartig Drug - Savanna Illinois

    January 4, 2016

    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