At H&W Drug Store, our story began in 1963 when we first opened our doors in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. Founded by Sterling J. Henry, RPh, and Wesley J. Watkins, RPh, we set out with one simple mission: to provide our community with reliable, affordable, and compassionate pharmacy care. In 1991, we moved across the street to Caffin Avenue, where we continued to grow and serve our neighbors until Mr. Watkins’ passing and Mr. Henry’s retirement.
When leadership passed to the next generation, I, Ruston Henry, RPh, proudly took on the responsibility of carrying our family’s legacy forward as owner and Chief Pharmacist. Like so many in New Orleans, we faced tremendous loss after Hurricane Katrina forced us to close our doors in 2005. But we never gave up. Six years later, in 2011, we reopened in New Orleans East inside The USA Market, proving our resilience and commitment to this city we call home.
Since then, we’ve expanded our reach to better serve families across the region. In 2013, we opened a location on the Westbank inside Sterling Farms Supermarket, and later moved into Budget Saver grocery in Marrero. By 2018, we proudly opened our first standalone pharmacy since Katrina, located at 7240 Crowder Boulevard in New Orleans East. Today, our presence spans Eastbank, Westbank, and Treme, but no matter how much we grow, our foundation remains the same: fast, friendly, and courteous service rooted in community care.
We believe healthcare should be accessible and affordable for everyone. That’s why we stock both brand-name and generic medications, work with major insurance providers including Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross, and offer competitive pricing to ease the financial burden on families. To make life easier, we also accept electronic prescriptions (e-scripts) and continue to innovate so our patients receive the best possible care.
More than just a pharmacy, H&W Drug Store is a part of New Orleans’ story. We’ve stood beside our community through change, challenge, and renewal, and we remain committed to serving with compassion, reliability, and integrity. For us, this isn’t just business—it’s family, it’s legacy, and it’s home.
