Dayton’s oldest pharmacy closing

Ridgway Pharmacy, which bills itself as Dayton’s oldest pharmacy, will have its last day of business Tuesday, said Owner Karen Ridgway Tracy.

The third-generation pharmacy, located at 3101 E. Third St., Dayton, is closing so Ridgway Tracy can spend more time at home with her family.

Patient prescriptions have been sold and transferred to the nearby Rite Aid, 2532 E. Third St.

Ridgway Tracy took over the family pharmacy business about 20 years ago from her father, Richard Ridgway. Her grandfather Warner Ridgway started the business in 1924.

She said she’ll work at Rite Aid part-time, along with four other Ridgway employees.

“It’s an emotional, kind of bittersweet situation,” she said.

But she hopes to see customers in the same neighborhood at Rite Aid.

“I just want them to know how much we appreciated their support and friendship over the years,” she said.