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133 North Banana River Drive, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Mon-Fri 9am-7pm | Sat 9am-5pm
(321) 452-0010 Fax (321) 452-6716

Our Story

Since 1964, Hobbs has grown alongside the community we call home.

What began as a small-town family drug store has evolved into the specialized pharmacy we are today, serving a thriving community while staying true to the personal care and values that have guided us from the beginning.

1964: Where It All Began

  1. 1964

    Hobbs Pharmacy began in 1964, when Gary K. Hobbs opened a full-service drug store in Merritt Island. The Space Race was in full swing, and Merritt Island was changing quickly. Families moved to the area, new businesses opened, and the community grew around the space program. Hobbs Pharmacy was there through it all, becoming a familiar part of everyday life on the island.

    Gary, alongside his wife Patricia and their four children, built more than a place to fill prescriptions. Hobbs became a place where people knew the people behind the counter, where neighbors could stop in for help, and where families could count on their pharmacy to be there when they needed it.

    Gary Hobbs at the original Hobbs Pharmacy location, 1964
    Mark Hobbs and his father Gary Hobbs standing beside a plaque bearing their names

1989–2019: Growing With Our Community

  1. 1989

    After 25 years, Gary passed the business to his son, Mark Hobbs. Having grown up around the pharmacy, Mark understood the importance of the relationships his father had built with patients and the community.

    Under Mark’s leadership, Hobbs continued to grow, expanding into infusion therapy, medical equipment, and compounding while keeping the personal approach that had been part of the pharmacy from the beginning.

    Mark Hobbs standing in the Hobbs Pharmacy store

  2. 2009

    In 2009, Hobbs built a USP <797> compliant sterile compounding room, expanding the pharmacy’s ability to prepare specialized medications for patients who needed something beyond what was available off the shelf. It allowed Hobbs to serve patients with increasingly specialized medication needs and laid the groundwork for the compounding services we offer today.

    The Hobbs Pharmacy storefront, its roadside sign reading Compounding Pharmacists Since 1964

  3. 2019

    In 2019, Eric Russo, PharmD, became co-owner alongside Mark. A Merritt Island native and University of Florida College of Pharmacy graduate, Eric first came to Hobbs as a pharmacy student in 1996. He went on to build his career at Hobbs, becoming a trusted member of the team and helping the pharmacy grow and expand its services. His experience and local roots helped guide Hobbs into its next chapter.

    Two Hobbs Pharmacy staff members at a workstation in the prescription area

2025–Today: The Third Generation

  1. 2025

    In 2025, Garrett Hobbs, Mark’s oldest son, joined the leadership team, bringing the third generation of the Hobbs family into the business.

    Garrett Hobbs standing in the Hobbs Pharmacy store beneath the apothecary sign

  2. 2026

    In 2026, a new compounding suite opened in Hobbs’ original 1964 location. Under the leadership of our head compounding pharmacist, Jessica Beal, PharmD, the team works in dedicated sterile and non-sterile labs with greater capacity to prepare specialized medications. This investment expands what Hobbs can offer patients while preserving the personal care and community relationships that have guided the pharmacy for more than six decades.

    The Hobbs Pharmacy team standing together in front of the pharmacy shelves

What We Stand For

For more than 60 years, Hobbs Pharmacy has been part of the community we call home. As a family-owned independent pharmacy, we believe good pharmacy care starts with getting to know the people we serve. Whether you need a prescription filled, a medication compounded specifically for you, or simply someone who can take the time to help, we’re here to treat you like a person, not a number.

  • Personal Care

    Being family-owned has always shaped the way we care for our patients. We take the time to listen, answer questions, and get to know the people who walk through our doors. After three generations, caring for our community still feels personal because it is.

  • Innovation

    Pharmacy has changed a lot since Hobbs first opened its doors, and we’ve changed with it. From our early days serving the Space Coast to the specialized compounding and pharmacy services we offer today, we’re always looking for better ways to meet the needs of our patients.

  • Trust

    Trust is something we’ve built over generations, one patient and one prescription at a time. For more than 60 years, families across our community have counted on Hobbs to be there when they need us, and we’re proud to continue earning that trust every day.