In a city that’s constantly evolving, there’s something comforting about a small business with staying power. For six decades, Carter’s Pharmacy has been part of Smyrna’s story — sometimes front and center, sometimes quietly supporting families behind the scenes — always rooted in personal care and a hometown approach to wellness.
Now, after nearly 15 years on the Ridgeview Institute campus, Carter’s is beginning a fresh chapter, returning to a more visible location on Atlanta Road and reintroducing itself to longtime patients and new neighbors alike.
Where It All Began
Carter’s Pharmacy first opened under the leadership of Dan Carter, who originally operated the business on South Cobb Drive, serving families with dependable, neighborly care. When Dan retired, he sold the pharmacy to Dr. Steve Wilson, who spent decades caring for Smyrna residents and became a steady, reassuring presence behind the counter.
For Austin Tull, Steve’s stepson, Carter’s was woven into daily life. He grew up in the aisles, helped out when he could, and absorbed the natural rhythms of a neighborhood pharmacy. He remembers summers with a lemonade stand out front and sick days resting on a small cot in the back room while the store hummed around him. Those memories shaped his appreciation for what a community pharmacy can mean.
When Dr. Wilson retired last year, the transition felt natural: Austin and his longtime friend, Thomas Sherrer, stepped in to carry the business forward. Both grew up in independent pharmacies, and today they are business partners with a shared commitment to community-centered care.
A Meaningful Move Into Everyday View
Though Carter’s never stopped serving patients, its location at Ridgeview placed it out of sight for many Smyrna residents. The decision to move to Atlanta Road was intentional — grounded in visibility, convenience, and a desire to reconnect.
“We wanted to be easier for people to find,” Austin explains. “This move gives us the access we’ve been missing. It feels like the right time to reconnect with the community in a more intentional way.”
The new location allows Carter’s to function the way neighborhood pharmacies traditionally do — as a convenient, street-front stop that fits naturally into daily routines.
Tradition With Thoughtful Upgrades
The reopening brings a blend of familiar service and meaningful enhancements designed around patient needs.
The most noticeable update is the new drive-thru window, offering quick, convenient prescription pick-up — especially helpful for busy families, seniors, and anyone who prefers a faster option.
Inside, the pharmacy is expanding its focus on proactive wellness with a curated selection of high-quality supplements and vitamins. Austin says this shift grew directly from conversations with patients.
“Many people were turning to online retailers but weren’t always sure what they were getting,” he explains. “We wanted to offer trusted, premium products — paired with guidance from a pharmacist who knows your health history.”
Personal Care at the Center
Even as Carter’s adds modern conveniences, the heart of the business remains the same: meaningful, personal care.
“Our pharmacists live here,” Austin says. “We understand the needs of our neighbors because we’re part of the community, too.”
That familiarity shapes every interaction — whether helping a patient navigate a new medication, recommending a supplement that fits their wellness goals, or simply taking the time to listen. Carter’s strives to create an experience rooted in trust and connection, the kind of care that’s increasingly rare in larger chain settings.
Looking Ahead
As Carter’s settles into its refreshed home on Atlanta Road, the team is already preparing for what’s next. In 2026, the pharmacy will introduce a delivery program, offering at-home access to prescriptions and supplements for patients who need flexible options.
Carter’s is also strengthening relationships with local treatment programs, assisted-living communities, and hospice providers to ensure consistent, reliable support across a range of healthcare needs.
The vision is simple: be a trusted resource — not just a place to pick up medications, but a partner in everyday wellness.
A Homecoming Filled With Heart
As Austin reflects on his years growing up behind the counter, he smiles at the memories that shaped his connection to the business — the familiar routines, the friendly faces, and the sense of belonging that came from spending his childhood in a place dedicated to helping others.
Today, as he and Thomas guide Carter’s Pharmacy into its next era, they’re carrying forward the values that have quietly defined the business for sixty years: kindness, personal connection, and care rooted in community.
Their move to Atlanta Road feels less like a relaunch and more like a homecoming — a chance to reintroduce a familiar name with fresh energy and a renewed commitment to the people they serve.
Pull quote:
“Our goal is simple: to be the kind of pharmacy families rely on, feel good about, and return to again and again.”
Visit Carter’s Pharmacy
Find them at 3988 Atlanta Rd, Smyrna, GA 30080.
Questions or refills? Call 770-436-5144.
Stop by to explore their expanded wellness offerings, new drive-thru service, and the personal care Smyrna families have trusted for decades.