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Ross Arnold, with his wife Erin (not pictured), operate Carmel Drug Store. The Ocean Avenue business has been in place for over 100 years. Photo: Randy Tunnell 62 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 T he year was 1905. Theodore Roosevelt was President. The New York Giants won their first World Series. Carmel-by-the- Sea was three years old. Carmel Drug opened its doors for the first time. And they haven't closed since. Remarkably, the store has been in the same Ocean Avenue location for 115 years. Since 2003, it's been under the aegis of Ross Arnold and his wife Erin. "I started working here in 1995, just out of college," Arnold says. "I wanted to earn money so I could go skiing in Colorado." Then-owner Greg Benedict approached Arnold about taking over and he accepted. The Arnolds have maintained their predecessors' commitment to providing friendly, small-town service to the people of Carmel. They're the only pharmacy in the area that still offers door- step delivery and they pride themselves on the fact that there are never lines. "You can always get in and out in 10 to 15 minutes," Arnold says. While maintaining old-school service, Carmel Drug also offers 21st-century convenience with a smartphone app that allows customers to manage prescriptions. The open, airy store is stocked with virtually everything the big stores offer, plus an interesting mix of high-end gift and cosmetic items. Learn more at carmeldrugstore.com. Carmel Dr ug Store: Over a Centur y of Ser vice B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D SHORTCUTS NEIGHBORS