POCATELLO — With smooth jazz music playing in the background and the smells of grilled hot dogs filling the air, local Gate City residents celebrated Maag Prescription & Medical Supply’s 75th anniversary on Friday.

For decades, the pharmacy located at 333 W. Center St. in Pocatello has exemplified the mom-and-pop style corner drugstore with a small town aesthetic.

The pharmacy’s owners Traci and Gary Maag have continued this tradition started by Gary’s grandfather in the 1950’s, inheriting not only his dedicated clientele but the belief in service to the community and knowing each friendly face that walks through their doors.

“It's something that we believe in and we feel like it serves a niche in the community,” Traci said about their commitment to every customer. “It's an opportunity for us to continue those basics that were established 75 years ago. We don't want these people to feel like a number. If you go to a big box store, they don't know your name, they don't know your family history. They walk in here, we know what's going on in their life. We know the struggles or all the great things that are going on and we can tailor care to meet those needs.”

Part of that tailored care comes from Maag’s ability to be a one-stop-shop for medical equipment and supplies. As its customers move through the stages of life, Maag is there to provide the necessary oxygen tanks, hospital beds, medications and other necessities that area residents rely on.

“We get to help them through all of it,” Traci said. “When it was started 75 years ago that was the intention. We get to be a part of that.”

During the celebration, both Gary and Traci were busy on the front sidewalk grilling delicious hot dogs provided by another Pocatello mainstay, the nearby Butcher Block. Hungry patrons stood in line patiently waiting and expressing gratitude to the Maag family for all they have done for Pocatello for generations.

Just around the corner, in an alleyway filled with painted street art, white canopies shaded guests, who enjoyed their free meals while listening to the serene rhythms of the local band Jazz on a Stick, who engaged audiences with brassy saxophone solos, thrumming bass and melodic guitar riffs.

“There's a certain level of expectation and a level of customer service that we want, we expect, but they have that as well,” Traci said. “That filters down to the customer. The customer knows when they walk through the door, they know where the bar has been raised to and they know what to expect when they come in here. That's really what keeps us going. You're not going to get rich in a pharmacy. That's certainly not it, but it's being able to help someone and hopefully you make a difference. Maybe you're the person that they get to talk to for the day and they don't have anybody else, that's worth its weight in gold.”

According to Gary, the money they earn stays in the community and the Maag family contributes altruistic donations to several local organizations and fixtures including Pocatello High School located just down the street.

“They have a pharmacy tech program there that we've donated a lot of goods to so that they can learn and have a job when they get out of high school,” Gary said. “Some of those kids are working here today.”

The care that goes into the support for area youth is reflected in how the Maag family treats its staff. Gary said they take pride in who they hire and enjoy being around them.

“A lot of them are like family and there's several that have been here for over 20 years,” he said.

The quality care and authenticity that the Maag family gives to its clients and customers is apparent in every grateful smile and word of thanks. From food insecure families appreciative of the free meal on a sunny day in August, to the nearby neighbors at Gate City Coffee and the residents of Historic Downtown, the community showed up to show their love for Maag Prescription & Medical Supply’s 75 years as a pillar of Pocatello.

“It’s just a way for us to say thank you,” Traci said about the barbecue. “These are the people that keep us in business, keep our doors open and so we feel like this is the least we can do to give back to the community. We get to see everybody all in one place. Most of our customers are families that have been coming here for multiple generations. It’s an opportunity to see them and their families that they're growing and continuing to do so with us as well.”