This research studied the changes in the design of the American drug store from the 1800s to the present. The changing demands of the customer primarily have driven the design evolution. Drug stores of the nineteenth century were typically located on busy street corners alongside storefronts with similar architecture. Inside, they were long, dark, and narrow, and pharmaceuticals and goods were sold from behind glass display cases. During the first half of the twentieth century, modernization and convenience for the customer transformed the drug store into a large, bright, and open store in mall space featuring self-service, food service, and a wider variety of retail goods. The later years of the century saw a loss of food service, the construction of freestanding buildings with ample parking space at busy intersections, and drive-thru pharmacies. These changes were seen in most drug stores regardless of their geographical location in the United States. / Department of Architecture