Name Dispute Forces a Revamp for the Pharmacy

A little known Texas law caused the shuttering this week of Deep Ellum’s boozy milkshake joint known as the Pharmacy, while a rebranded arcade-themed bar and ice cream parlor will open in its place.

The closure came after the Texas State Board of Pharmacy gave notice to the bar that only registered pharmacies can use the word “pharmacy” in their name, per the Texas Pharmacy Act, the Dallas Observer reports. “Specifically, the name ‘pharmacy’ or ‘apothecary’ cannot be used by any business except those that are registered pharmacies with the state,” a press release reads.

Danny Wilson, owner of the Pharmacy, tells Eater that the current location will reopen this Friday as Select Start Bar & Arcade with an expanded selection of arcade games and a more elevated booze selection. The company is stepping away from milkshakes for now while it finds a new location for the yet-to-be-renamed Pharmacy. Wilson and his team are looking to expand operations for their uber-popular shakes in a larger location that includes a kitchen, which will help keep up with demand.

Instead of shakes, Select Start will serve ice cream and floats with soda, beer, and booze like a Jack Daniels & Coke float as well as a Moscow Mule option, Wilson says. The new arcade feel will feature upwards of 20 new and old-school games like Capcom, Pac Man, Guitar Hero, & Crossy Road. TVs mounted behind the bar will be available for Xbox and Playstation games, and old-school arcade enthusiasts will find pinball machines, skee-ball, and basketball on offer.

After Select Start opens this weekend, the city’s newest pinball destination will be open Monday through Wednesday from 3 p.m. to midnight and Thursday through Sunday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.

• Texas Forces the Pharmacy Bar to Rebrand, and a New Bar and Arcade Will Open in Its Place [Dallas Observer]