One of this city's unsurpassed treasures is Des Moines Drug Store, located at 627 S. 227th St. next to Red Robin, behind Bank of America and backing up to the Des Moines Yacht Club.

When their automatic door swings open, you enter a world of present-day and yesteryear's coveted gifts, together with today's latest pharmaceutical products and services, from a family whose local business history dates back to 1956-57.

Present owners are Jeff Malmo, his sister Nancy Faliski and their sister-in-law Lisa Malmo.

This second generation took over the business in July 1996, when Jeff and Nancy's father, Richard (Dick) Malmo and his longtime business partner, Donald Corfman, retired.

As a University of Washington graduate, pharmacist Jeff Malmo dispenses caring professionalism in filling prescriptions and addressing associated medicinal needs.

Nancy and Lisa manage the diverse retail inventory featuring items such as fine linen, China, sports mementos, fluffy Teddy bears, clothing, fresh flowers, and nearly 48,000 greeting cards.

What makes Des Moines Drug store different from others? For over 40 years their motto has been "We Care."

Practicing that tradition with Jeff, Nancy and Lisa are their employees: Linda, Nicole, Deb, Stephanie, Holli, Rita, Donna, Debra, Dana, Raeanna, Jay, Nikki, and Jeff's wife, Nancy, a/k/a "Tukky."

From the time you step inside until you leave, you'll feel welcome and comfortable. Sometimes I wonder how anyone can have so much fun working!

The following quotes and information about Des Moines Drug Store comes from the history book, One Hundred Years of the "Waterland" Community, by Richard T. Kennedy and Grechen F. Schmidt.

In 1947, Des Moines Drug Store opened its doors as one of the original tenants in the new Des Moines Theater building, at 22325 Marine View Drive S., constructed by Del and Alvina (Wally) Osterhoudt, who also owned the gas station/automobile service next door. Interestingly, local fire/rescue crews operated out of that garage, too, including the legendary lady firefighters, known as "The Bra Brigade," frequently seen manning the fire truck.

The original pharmacist and drug store owner, Lisle Wright, sold in 1951 to pharmacist-employee Robert Holderman and his pharmacist wife, Ramona. They "established a tradition of friendliness and personal service. It was the only pharmacy between Kent and Burien."

In 1956/1957 both Donald Corfman and Dick Malmo, pharmacist, were respectively hired. In 1965 the Holderman's sold the store to Dick and Darlene Malmo and Darlene and Donald Corfman.

As the community grew the store moved to its present location and expanded pharmacy services, emphasized the small gift department and added the first complete "Hallmark Card and Party Shop." To this day, Des Moines Drug Store offers traditional everyday and emergency prescription caring service and personal friendliness for valued customers.

"One important fact customers should know is that those who have Medicare or private insurance cards will pay the same for prescriptions regardless of what store they chose to patronize. With very little exception, prices are the same here as there." Jeff Malmo said.

After 25 years as pharmacist, he recalls with some laughs his work here as a kid vacuuming, stocking shelves or "doing whatever no one else wanted to do. I feel lucky to have this hands-on association of a personal pharmacist."

Nancy Faliski and Lisa Malmo are the genius team behind the amazing array of store merchandise. "If we don't have your Hallmark card or gift, they don't make it," Nancy tells folks.

Replacing former flower distributor is Susan Rabago, a local resident. You'll find live plants and a wonderful variety of fresh flower arrangements at reasonable prices.

'We do admit to one merchandise challenge when the Huskies and Cougars are playing." Lisa's a Cougar and Jeff and Nancy are Huskies, so the balance of support items on shelves depends on who does the ordering.

"We hope to pass this business down to the next generation, and keep a small town pharmacy, alive and well. Jay, Jeff's son, is in pharmacy school now. Our only regret is we didn't buy this building from Norma Somers when given that chance," Nancy and Lisa added.

Caring and sharing is a fragile gift best practiced all year remembering, as Plutarch wrote, "In words are seen the state of mind, character and disposition of the speaker."