In 1848, Dr. Charles Merrill purchased a general store with his brother and the brothers decided to specialize in the new business of selling medicines.  The business proved profitable and soon Merrill was able to erect one of the most impressive and massive storefront blocks on Water Street — the Merrill Block.

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The Exeter News-Letter reported on July 10 , 1874 that, ”Dr. C.A. Merrill’s new building, on Water street is beginning to develop its ornamental features.  It promises to be one of the most substantial and thoroughly constructed buildings in the State.  The Dr. will occupy the store at the west end of the building, which will be fitted and furnished in a style to do credit to a metropolis.”

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Dr. Merrill opened his drugstore in 1875 and operated it until 1886 when Edward Cram purchased the store and hired William Seward to manage it.  In 1893 Seward partnered with Albert Weeks renaming the store Weeks & Seward’s Drugstore.  The store was wired for electricity in 1919 and offered a full-service pharmacy and soda fountain.   Seward continued business after Weeks retired in the 1920s.  Seward ran the store for many years, retiring in 1944 selling the store to Horace Grant, an employee.  It was renamed Grant Drugs and operated in its last years under the ownership of Clifford Zilch.

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The building was turned into condominiums in 1982, and since then the space has been occupied by a series of retail stores; Carrier Jewelers, Decorum Gift Shop and most recently, Paws Pet Boutique.

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The Exeter Apothecary incorporates the surviving original design elements from the 1873 drugstore including the spectacular wooden apothecary cabinetry with our modern and creative cocktail and food offerings.  The bar front color and decorative wallpaper are evocative of the ones used in the original drugstore.

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For over 100 years elixirs for the mind and body were being created in this location, the Exeter Apothecary seeks to build on this tradition with a modern twist.