“The businesses recognized here today exemplify the reason a company remains successful year after year,” said Sen. Van de Putte. “Hard work, quality service, and resourcefulness go a long way in the Lone Star State and we’re pleased to recognize those traits.”

“We’re proud of all our historic businesses,” said Rep. Anderson. “These are businesses that give back to their communities, not just in job growth and expanded tax revenues, but as friends and neighbors who people come to depend on year after year.”

A special decal identifying the business as a Texas Treasure will be publicly displayed at Strickland Drugs. Consumers will know that when they spot the familiar Texas Treasure Business icon, they are doing business with a well-established, Texas-owned-and-operated business that has long contributed to job growth, stimulated the local economy, and generated state and local revenues.

Strickland Drugs continues a tradition of over 100 years of service to Blanco County and surrounding communities. The pharmacy has been an independent, family-owned pharmacy since the 1890's and continues to serve the needs of the community. Strickland Drugs, Blanco's Community Pharmacy, would like to extend its grateful appreciation to its customers who continue to provide them with opportunity to serve their medical and healthcare needs as a local, family-owned, independent pharmacy.

“It is a privilege for us to recognize our long-established businesses that have remained committed to Texans for generations, while creating jobs and stimulating economic growth,” said THC Chairman Matt Kreisle. “May this recognition serve to increase your success and productivity for many years to come.”

Texas Treasure Business Awards are made throughout the year with the support of state legislators. For more information about the Texas Treasure Business Award, contact the THC at 512-463-6100 or visit thc.state.tx.us.

For many Blanco residents, Phillip Strickland’s drug store on the historic square has been a medical resource for as long as they can remember. Filled with mementos of Blanco history, it is a destination for tourists as well, who take time to admire the old photos, the antique clock, and the old typewriters. The pharmacy has been on the square since 1880, and Phillip has owned it since 1976 after he sold his pharmacy in Helotes and bought the pharmacy then owned by the Fulchers. For the succeeding eight years he and his family lived in Blanco, then San Antonio and later Canyon Lake, from which he has commuted ever since.

So it should not come as a surprise that Phillip is ready to turn the reins of ownership over to someone else. The opportunity presented itself after he hired a new pharmacist, Siobhan Atchley, last May, and gradually came to realize that they share the same philosophy of what a neighborhood pharmacy should be.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Texas School of Pharmacy, Siobhan has worked as a pharmacist for 24 years. Her love of medicine comes from her father, who was a pediatric cardiologist, and her mother, who was a nurse. She sees the pharmacy as a way of combining her interest in nutrition, medicine. and helping people in the community. Siobhan lives with her husband and children between Wimberley and Dripping Springs. She enjoys running, the out-of-doors, and being with her family. Both Philip and Siobhan are working to make the transition as smooth as possible. Strickland’s, as it will be known for the immediate future, will continue to be a compounding pharmacy and will provide personalized counseling and delivery service. However, Siobhan has plans to expand services, stocking more homeopathic choices and making the pharmacy a Wellness Center for the community. She also hopes to set up a scholarship fund for Blanco High School students who are interested in science and pursuing a career in pharmacy.

As for Phillip, he will continue to work as a pharmacist for two days a week for the next year or so. After that, he says, “We’ll go where the Lord leads us. We don’t want retirement to be about self.” When asked what has been most meaningful about his career as a pharmacist he says without a doubt the interaction with people, especially in the days before all the paperwork, when there was time to truly get to know people. Perhaps the next year or so will provide him with that opportunity again.