Business of the Year Nominee: Kemper Drug & Gift
This award is aimed at companies that have been in business for less than five years and have demonstrated innovation, creativity, and is on the path to outstanding success. To receive the award, the business must be an Elk River Area Chamber member in good standing.
Nominator Statement:
“For more than 70 years, Kemper Drug & Gifts has been a household name in Elk River and has been a stable and supportive fixture in our beautiful and historic downtown. Straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, in a building largely unchanged from where your grandparents shopped, it’s likely you’ll run into a neighbor or parent from your kids’ baseball team perusing the aisles of the gift shop or asking the pharmacist how to properly use a new medication.
For all of those 70+ years, Kemper has been owned by local, community-minded individuals who support the local arts, youth sports, community events, and Minnesota-based businesses. Want to know when the next community theater show is coming up? Just watch for the banners on the side of the building. Youth sports supporter? I’m sure you’ve seen the ads and banners in their programs and along the sidelines. Need to cool off in the summertime? Maybe you snagged one of the 788 free sno-cones given out during Elk Riverfest. Or maybe you stopped by during the Farmers Market to do some browsing of the gift shop and enjoy the air conditioning. Speaking of shopping, the gift shop inside Kemper Drug & Gifts is without question, one of the best and most unique places in the area to score that perfect gift. Whether you’re searching for a gift for a new baby, birthday, graduation, wedding, best friend, the cabin, Uncle Bill or anyone in between, you’ll undoubtedly find it at Kemper. You’ll find books by local authors, crafts from local artisans, and a large array of Minnesota-made items and apparel.
In a world where the hometown pharmacy is competing against the massive nationwide corporate pharmacies, Kemper Drug & Gifts maintains its customer-first centric values. Voted the Star News’ best pharmacy for seven consecutive years, Kemper’s knowledgeable and caring staff support their customers in every possible way. From managing medications, searching for ways to make them more affordable, and recommending over-the-counter medications and supplements, Kemper has never wavered from putting the customer’s needs first. Kemper Drug and Gifts is a proud community partner and continues to be locally-owned and locally-loved.” — Jennifer Wagner
About Kemper Drug & Gift
Kemper Drug & Gift is a downtown fixture in Elk River, MN. Locally owned and locally loved by all in the community, Kemper Drug & Gift treats every guest like family — whether picking up a prescription, over the counter medication or supplements, or browsing the many unique treasures in the gift department.
How long has Kemper Drug & Gift been in business?
It has had the Kemper name since 1948 but Deborah Leedahl has owned it for three years and she has roughly 15 employees.
What inspired the start of Kemper Drug & Gift?
As a pharmacist, Deborah wanted to run her business how a pharmacist would want it run, not how a corporation would want to make money. She values the history of the business and the personal touch she can give each customer. She is inspired by the history of the business, it’s well known and well established.
Who does Kemper Drug & Gift serve?
Anyone who appreciates hometown values and service. Those who value the way they are treated and want to have a great, induvial experience. Kemper serves everyone from newborns to hospice care patients and everyone in between.
Kemper Drug & Gift’s investment in Elk River and the Surrounding Area:
As a new business owner, Deborah’s focus is on the development of her staff and establishing herself in the community. She hires high school students to give them a chance to gain valuable work experience – great responsibility, a chance to learn, and be a part of a small business team. Kemper is also very involved in the downtown business association to help keep the downtown vibrant and exciting for both businesses and the community.
A Little-Known Fact About Kemper Drug & Gift:
The building has burned down twice. The last time was in 1960 – that is why it is only one story and the rest are two-story buildings. It was rebuilt on the original foundation.
Looking to the Future:
Deborah is currently working on a national collaboration of community pharmacies to try to change the rules of how community pharmacies can interact with patients and patient care. They are really trying to reach the patient on a whole level to meet their health goals.
Kemper Drug & Gift’s Involvement with the Chamber:
Deborah is a newer board member and has enjoyed getting to see the Chamber from the backside and learning how it impacts the community. She is getting to know more businesses by being involved and enjoys being part of the events.
Kemper Drug & Gift’s Involvement with the Community:
Longevity is part of what makes Kemper Drug & Gift so special. The business is a downtown fixture and has clients in their 80’s that started with the pharmacy as children. The level of service provided through each previous owner of the business makes it special and a great asset to the community!
On behalf of all of us at ERACC, we’d like to say congratulations to Deborah Leedahl on Kemper Drug & Gift’s nomination for Business of the Year.
