James & Wilks Pharmacy's Mart James Retires: "I'll Miss my customers and employees"

After half a century in the pharmacy trade and over 10 years as the co-owner of James and Wilks Pharmacy, Mart James has ridden off into the sunset of retirement. On Friday, April 12, between 10 a.m.-6 p.m., James and Wilks will host a retirement party for him, and the public is invited to stop by the pharmacy, 620 Mall Boulevard in Dyersburg, to wish him well.

He officially retired in December.  He said, “The best thing about retirement? I can do what I want to do and when I want to do it.” He added, “I don’t have to worry about scheduling time off.”

Mart James visiting Trivoli gardens in Cophenhagen, Denmark

But there is no doubt that James loved what he did, loved his customers, and loved his staff. Asked what he misses most about the job, he explained, “It’s not the job; it’s my customers and my employees.” 

He said that his career as a registered pharmacist spanned 46 years and as an unregistered pharmacist, 4-5 years. With over 50 years of experience, it’s understandable that he would joke, “I’ve had it with drugstores.” For 36 of those years, he worked for Super D, and he stated that one of the highlights of his career was when he could leave corporate pharmacy work behind. He explained that owning his pharmacy allowed him to run the business without interference. 

The decision to strike out on his own and that attitude helped make James and Wilks a successful business. He said that with his pharmacy, “The buck stops here.” He noted that he and his employees had full responsibility for making customers happy, and that is why his employees were important to him. 

“Your employees are you,” he said. Remembering that motto, he concentrated on hiring personable employees who valued customer service first. He said that by having his own store he could train his employees, watching them turn “from caterpillars into butterflies.” He also worked with Dyersburg High School to train students in their work program. 

His employees spoke glowingly of their careers with him. 

Bethany Cobb, owner and pharmacist, said she has worked with him since June 1999, almost 25 years. “He’s really taught me a lot about the business aspect.”

“He genuinely loves people, loves customers,” she continued. “He was an advocate for the customer.” He created a positive atmosphere at the pharmacy. She laughed, “You never knew what he was going to say. It was always a surprise—just expect the unexpected…a lot of fun.”  

Brooke Launer went to work for James in 2001 and said, “He feels like, truly, family.” She was 17 when she started working with him, and said she felt like she grew up while doing so. 

Trista Galbraith worked with him for eight years and said, “He has been nothing but loving and caring with all of us and with the customers…It’s just been the best.” 

Asked how they felt about James retiring, they all said, “We will miss him.” They said that the customers would miss him as well.

All of James and Wilks’ employees hope the public will drop in to see him, and they vow to continue to give the same great service they have given under his dedicated direction.