Justin Whitlock Dart
Encyclopedia
Justin Whitlock Dart, Sr. (August 17, 1907 – January 26, 1984) was considered the "boy wonder" of the drug store industry. In college Dart had played football for Northwestern University
.
After marrying Ruth Walgreen, Dart became an executive with his father-in-law's (Charles Walgreen) company, the Walgreens
Drugstore chain (note that it is spelled without an apostrophe). At Walgreens, he introduced the concept of placing the pharmacy counter at the back of the drug store, which not only provided privacy for medical concerns, but forced patrons to walk past many items for possible purchase.
Dart divorced his first wife, Ruth Walgreen, and left the Walgreen company shortly after. In 1943, Dart took control of the Boston
-based United Drug Company. The chain operated under the Ligget, Owl, Sonta, and Rexall
brands. Soon, Dart rebranded the stores under the Rexall name.
After 35 years, Dart sold his stake in Rexall in 1978. During these years, Dart had acquired stakes in Avon, West Bend Housewares
, Duracell
, Ralph Wilson Plastics, Archer Glass and Hobart
, which were collectively known as Dart Industries.
Although Dart Industries never owned Avon, it was the former parent company to Tupperware Home Parties. Dart Industries eventually merged with Kraft Foods.
posthumously in 1987.
(1918–2009), were married on New Year's Eve
in 1939, and remained married until his death in 1984. The couple had three children.
Dart and Bryan were staunch Republicans and helped convince their close personal friend, former California Governor Ronald Reagan
, to run for the presidency of the United States in 1980.
His son by his first marriage, Justin Whitlock Dart, Jr.
was an advocate for the disabled. In 1989, Dart, Jr. was appointed by President George H. W. Bush
to the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Dart, Jr. also helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; he died in 2002 of complications related to polio.
, founded by Herbert Haft
.
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
.
After marrying Ruth Walgreen, Dart became an executive with his father-in-law's (Charles Walgreen) company, the Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
Drugstore chain (note that it is spelled without an apostrophe). At Walgreens, he introduced the concept of placing the pharmacy counter at the back of the drug store, which not only provided privacy for medical concerns, but forced patrons to walk past many items for possible purchase.
Dart divorced his first wife, Ruth Walgreen, and left the Walgreen company shortly after. In 1943, Dart took control of the Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
-based United Drug Company. The chain operated under the Ligget, Owl, Sonta, and Rexall
Rexall
Rexall was a chain of North American drugstores, and the name of their store-branded products. The stores, having roots in the federation of United Drug Stores starting in 1902, licensed the Rexall brand name to as many as 12,000 drug stores across the United States from 1920 to 1977...
brands. Soon, Dart rebranded the stores under the Rexall name.
After 35 years, Dart sold his stake in Rexall in 1978. During these years, Dart had acquired stakes in Avon, West Bend Housewares
West Bend Housewares
West Bend Housewares, LLC, based in West Bend, Wisconsin, produces household appliances such as breadmakers, mixers, coffee urns, slow cookers and woks. The West Bend Company, founded in 1911, was owned by Regal Ware Inc. but the part sold to Vernon Hills, Illinois based Focus Products Group took...
, Duracell
Duracell
Duracell is a brand of batteries manufactured by Procter & Gamble.Additionally, Duracell owns the Procell professional-use brand.-Products:Duracell manufactures alkaline batteries in many common sizes, such as AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V...
, Ralph Wilson Plastics, Archer Glass and Hobart
Hobart Corporation
The Hobart Corporation is a manufacturer of commercial equipment used in the foodservice and grocery industry. The company manufactures food preparation machines for cutting, slicing and mixing, cooking equipment, refrigeration units, warewashing and waste disposal systems, and weighing, wrapping...
, which were collectively known as Dart Industries.
Although Dart Industries never owned Avon, it was the former parent company to Tupperware Home Parties. Dart Industries eventually merged with Kraft Foods.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Dart received the Presidential Medal of FreedomPresidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
posthumously in 1987.
Family
Dart and his second wife, actress Jane BryanJane Bryan
Jane Bryan was an American actress who was being prepared by the Warner Bros. studio to become one of their leading ladies until she married a drugstore magnate in 1940 and retired....
(1918–2009), were married on New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
in 1939, and remained married until his death in 1984. The couple had three children.
Dart and Bryan were staunch Republicans and helped convince their close personal friend, former California Governor Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, to run for the presidency of the United States in 1980.
His son by his first marriage, Justin Whitlock Dart, Jr.
Justin Whitlock Dart, Jr.
Justin Whitlock Dart, Jr. was an American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. He helped to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities .-Background:Dart came from a wealthy Chicago family...
was an advocate for the disabled. In 1989, Dart, Jr. was appointed by President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
to the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Dart, Jr. also helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; he died in 2002 of complications related to polio.
Note
Despite being in the drug store industry, Justin Dart had no known connections to Dart DrugDart Drug
Dart Drug is a now-defunct chain of discount drug stores in the metropolitan Washington, DC region. It was founded in 1955, by Herbert Haft and his wife Gloria in Adams Morgan. The chain expanded to over 100 stores, and became a vehicle by which Herbert Haft engaged in greenmail activities against...
, founded by Herbert Haft
Herbert Haft
Herbert H. Haft was a Washington, D.C. based businessman who was famous first for the development of discount stores in the drug store, bookstore, and auto part businesses, and later as a corporate raider...
.