Goodson Drug Reopens After Fire, Restores Historic Downtown Anchor

Goodson Drug Co. reopened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, culminating more than a year of repairs and restoration after a fire devastated the building in November 2024. Owners and city and local officials attended the event, which was photographed at the ceremony, signaling a coordinated effort to return the long-standing business to downtown Forsyth County.

The restoration returned a historic storefront to active use, an outcome with practical and symbolic importance for the neighborhood. Small, locally owned retail outlets like Goodson often serve as anchors for pedestrian activity, and their presence supports adjacent restaurants, professional services, and street-level vitality. Reopening the drug store restores access to local retail goods and in-person services, and it puts staff back on payroll, helping to recover jobs that had been displaced by the fire.

Rebuilding an historic structure after major damage typically involves multiple stages: structural repairs, interior fit-out, permit approvals and adherence to preservation standards. Those elements extend recovery timelines but preserve architectural character that helps sustain downtown property values and tourism appeal. The ceremony's attendance by municipal officials underscores the public interest in preserving the downtown business fabric after an acute shock.

From an economic standpoint, the reopening contributes to downtown commercial occupancy and tax base recovery. Nationally, small businesses make up the overwhelming majority of firms and account for a significant share of private-sector employment, so local recoveries matter for broader county-level employment and spending patterns. At the block level, a single reopened store can increase foot traffic and customer spillover for neighboring merchants, improving revenues and encouraging further investment.

Policy considerations stemming from the Goodson experience include the role of local permitting and preservation processes in balancing safety and speed of recovery, the importance of clear channels for municipal support after disasters, and the value of community backing that reduces long-term vacancy risk. For Forsyth County residents, the practical takeaway is renewed access to a familiar downtown service and a visible sign of community resilience.

With repairs completed and the storefront active again, Goodson Drug Co. returns as both a place of business and a neighborhood anchor. The building's recovery closes a chapter that began with the November 2024 fire and opens the next phase of downtown revival for Forsyth County.