At the recent Council Meeting Dec 17, Council Member Dr.G (Dr. Luis S. González) presented Mr Peter Wissa, of Larson’s Pharmacy, with a “Business Focus” Recognition Award for their successful business operation in the City of Colton. This long-established company originally started in 1957 and has been a mainstay of the Colton downtown business community for 67 years. Mr. Wissa, Lead Pharmacy Technician and Store Manager, has been working side by side for 19 years with the current owner, Mr. Ed Botros, who purchased Larson’s Pharmacy in 2005.
Born in Egypt, both Mr Botros and Mr. Wissa came to the United States at a young age – Mr. Wissa in 1983, and Mr. Botros in 1993. Mr. Botros, the owner, lived in Anaheim and found work at various pharmacies in Anaheim, parts of Orange County and Palm Desert, before deciding to purchase a business of his own. In 2005 that dream became a reality when Mr. Botros learned about an available drug store originally owned by Phillip S. Larson at the corner of La Cadena and West H Street in Colton. That business was called Larson’s Pharmacy and Ed Botros decided to continue with the same name. Mr. Wissa, his business partner, has a Colton connection in that he has lived in Reche Canyon and still attends the St. Mina Coptic Church. The business employs 11 people, all who live in Colton, with the exception of the owner, who still lives in Anaheim.
As part of the presentation, a couple of little-known facts about Larson’s Pharmacy were mentioned. Originally, the business was called Larson’s Drugs and located in the 200 block across the street in the historical Arcade Building. The name was changed in 1960. The second point was that this business won an award by the New York Times as a “new look California Drug Store.” This business certainly has history in our City and Larson’s Pharmacy continues to shine and provide great service to our community…