By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

The Chilton County Chamber of Commerce selected has named Hayes Drug and Gift Shop in Jemison as the business of the month for February.

Representatives from the Chamber and member businesses were on hand to congratulate the owners and employees of Hayes Drug during a small ceremony on Feb. 4.

“We wanted to recognize Hayes Drug,” said Chamber executive director Francine Wasden. “They have been here for a long time. They have new owners. They do a lot of good things for their community, and we wanted to come and recognize them.”

Store co-owner Karen Crane said she and her employees were “very appreciative” of the honor.

Crane and her husband Jimmy bought the store from previous owner Danny Hayes when he decided to retire and sell the business.

The Cranes took ownership of Hayes Drug in January of last year. The business was established in Jemison in 1977.

“My husband worked here as a relief pharmacist years and years ago right after he got out of pharmacy school,” Karen Crane said. “He had always loved the area. When he heard the business was coming up for sale, we prayed about it and made the offer.”

The Cranes have completed a remodel of the store that expanded the gift shop to compliment the existing pharmacy, which offers things like vaccinations, prescription filling and over-the-counter medicine.

“We redid the floors,” said employee Amanda Argo. “We took down some shelves and opened up all the gift shop. We took down the blinds and opened the windows up. Hopefully, it’s a brighter space for everybody.”

The new store hours for Hayes Drug are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Those came into effect on Jan. 7.

Hayes Drug and Gift Shop is located at 24724 Highway 31 in Jemison.