After William “Bill” Burbage and his wife Mildred moved to Albemarle in 1945, he became a pharmacist with Phillips Drug Store. Two years later, in October 1947, he opened his own pharmacy. This new business, located on North First Street, was called Drug Centre. It was located in the Gaskin Building, shown in today’s photo. Burbage became very active in the community, serving as a part of a number of civic and business organizations. He also served on several non-profit boards and along with his wife they were heavily involved members of First Baptist Church of Albemarle. Unfortunately, Burbage passed away on Feb. 6, 1957 after a long illness. The Drug Centre continued under the management of Don Bennett until 1967, when he left to open a new pharmacy. In June 1969, the business, still owned by Bill Burbage’s widow (who was now Mildred Palmer), was sold to two employees, Willard Griggs and Johnnie Rummage. The Drug Centre went out of business during the latter part of 1978. {Lewis Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}