Meet Haley Thomas. Haley is the co-owner of Cleveland Drug Co, which was founded by her grandfather, Ray Black, in 1969. She was born and raised in Cleveland, attended the University of North Georgia, and then the University of Tennessee where she got her pharmacy degree. After pharmacy school she returned back to Cleveland to take over her grandpa’s pharmacy. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Blake Thomas.
Q: What do you do for a living and what do you like most about it?
A: “I am a pharmacist and business owner. I love being able to help my community and carry on my grandfather’s legacy.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “Australia to visit some family that lives there.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place in the world you have already visited?
A: “Interlaken, Switzerland.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “Dr Hagemann who was the Associate Dean for my college of pharmacy and my preceptor. I’d love to have lunch with her, to catch up on the last 4 years Pharmacy ownership. And we would go to Clyde’s.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “Smith’s Soda Shop. El Camp. Yonah Burger. Big Daddy’s.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “I was born and raised here. I started working at Cleveland Drug in 2014, when my grandparents reopened. My first job was at Betty’s Country Store at age 16.”
Q: Who, in our community, do you think is happy and positive and would be a great next interview for this project? This person will be your nomination!
A: “Erika Walker.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “Smith’s Soda Shop and The Old Babyland General.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “The Proposal. She’s The Man. One Tree Hill.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I enjoy painting. I just sold my first big commissioned piece.”
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: “I wouldn’t say band but my favorite artist is Taylor Swift. My cousin and I went to one of her very first mall concerts before she was famous!”
Q: If you were given ONE EXTRA HOUR every day, and you could not use it for sleep, work, or with anyone else, what would you use it for?
A: “Reading or painting – I would want the extra hour for sunset time.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I want to see the Northern Lights.”
Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday? And the absolute best single day on the calendar?
A: “July. Christmas and the Fourth of July tie for my favorite holidays. April 15th – my wedding anniversary is my favorite single day of the year.”
