Dear Hustead Family:
I wanted to write to you and THANK YOU, for some of the most WONDERFUL Memories
of my lifetime. When I was a child my parents would take the family to Wall Drug store every
few years. My folks had moved to California from Iowa, and they said it never quite
felt like "HOME". They missed the small town atmosphere they had in Ames, Iowa.
On our trips to Wall Drug, they could feel as if they were "HOME" again. I will always
cherish the trips to your store, the panning for "gold", the Buffalo Burgers, etc. When
I think back to those days, it brings such fond memories to heart. My folks have gone
to be with our LORD, but I know they would have LOVED just 1 more trip to Wall Drug.
I do remember 1 particular trip, when I was a young teen...we had visited Mt. Rushmore
earlier and stopped in for Buffalo Burgers on the way back. The altitude at the Monument
had gotten to me, so I was taking it easy that day. We were standing at the counter reading
the Buffalo Burger menu, and I was leaning on my Dad. All of a sudden, I just FAINTED!
The next thing I knew, someone was waving a small bottle of Smelling Salts under my nose.
There I was, laying in a booth, and the most HANDSOM boy was standing
over me that I had ever seen! He worked for your store, and had helped my Dad pick
me up and place me in the booth. I remember being so embarrased!! Later, as we walked
through the store and saw the sights, all of your employee's kept asking me "Are you feeling
better now, dear?" How wonderful to be in the company of such CARING PEOPLE! You don't
find many places like WALL DRUG....and I would be willing to bet....IT IS JUST AS WONDERFUL
AND CARING TODAY.
THANK YOU Hustead Family...for being such a wonderful testament to AMERICANA!
I look forward to visiting you again someday...
Sincerely,
Mrs. Debra Durkee
California
8-2-08
Dear Husteads and Wall Drug:
I was raised in Piqua, Ohio, and on the side of the underware factory used to hang a sign which said "Wall Drug South Dakota," with an arrow pointing west. It is about 1,200 miles distant and for a kid, back in the 1950's that was a long way. I thought that perhaps it was an important place and would someday warrant my attention.
After 50 years I finally made it to Wall Drug last Saturday and Sunday. Three things brought me to South Dakota; my son who is on the wheat harvest at Highmore, so I came to spend time with the cutting crew; a long needed vacation to the Black Hills and of course to explore Wall Drug. I told my wife before we left that I was going to Wall Drug if I never got to the Black Hills!
I wanted just one thing at Wall Drug, a bumper sticker to prove I had been there. It sits here on my desk, a fond memento of my journey, of my childhood and that sign on the underware factory.
I was overwhelmed by the facilities. There was something for everyone from the youngest to the oldest. We arrived on Saturday just about 10 a.m., had to park two blocks up the street, which made for an enjoyable stroll.
I combed every inch of your complex, quite amazed that it was not exactly a drug store and amused by every new shop I entered and every array of merchandise. Two things really caught my eye. The book store, you see, I am a writer and any time I can find regional or local interest books, well that is just dandy. The other thing were the many, many photos and stories that lined the walls, telling the story of the Hustead family and Wall Drug. I'd still be there reading, but after two hours, a vacation schedule called me to the Black Hills.
Scott Trostel, OHIO
8-1-08
Dear friends,
We are from NY. We just got back from SD and visited your STORE. What an experience!!. I had a buffalo burger that was out of this world.
Rose
7-21-08
Two weeks ago on the way home from the International Airstream Rally in Bozeman, MT my wife and I made it a point to stop at Wall Drug. We had heard so much about your place over many years I can only wonder why it took us so long to finally stop. Your cake donuts are now among a very short list that I have had the pleasure of eating. Please understand that I do not make this comment lightly. Being a donut connoisseur and a writer of a food blog (with about 24 loyal readers) you maybe be sure that I will post an entry about my delightful experience. The chocolate frosted cake donut I ate made me think of the ones that I enjoyed when I was a boy growing up in California.
Thanks, Stuart Wetterschneider Georgetown, TX