AMY WINKLER/Arizona Summer Wildcat University Drug will be closing in the next two weeks due to a disagreement over a clause in a short-term lease. The drugstore at East University Boulevard and North Park Avenue opened in 1922 and once held a soda fountain.

For 80 years, UA community members have frequented University Drug, but the University Boulevard landmark announced recently that it is shutting its doors forever.

University Drug, 943 E. University Blvd., is closing because of problems between store owner Mike Ruckerson and the Marshall Foundation, landlords for the University Boulevard and Park Avenue area and UA benefactor. According to Ruckerson, he and the Marshall Foundation have reached an agreement that the store will close in seven-to-10 days.

The foundation intends to construct a new building on the site of University Drug within the next few years, but does not know who the future tenants will be.

Renters are on short leases, not knowing when their building will come down. University Drug has been on a monthly lease since 1996.

"We have been having problems with the Marshall Foundation. We have been existing on a month-to-month lease for three years and the rent has been going up," said Ruckerson, who also serves as the store's pharmacist. "I have asked on several occasions what is happening and the uncertainty has not enabled us to do improvements causing us to lose customers."

While he was not available for comment, Marshall Foundation president Charles Jackson, told the Arizona Daily Wildcat in April that he has informed Ruckerson the building could be torn down in anywhere from two-to-five years and that he understands the rent concerns but that the foundation cannot lower rent.

He said it must make enough profit to continue providing donations to the UA among others, contributing as much money as the Internal Revenue Service requires them to in order to remain a non-profit corporation.

Ruckerson believes the purpose of the monthly leases is to allow the to Foundation gain a more profitable tenant if one becomes available.

"Obviously they don't want us, that's what it comes down to, or they're waiting for some big corporate client to come pay them more money, and that's what they want us out for," said Erik Friends, a University Drug employee and an environmental economics senior.

The store, one of the locally owned merchants on University Boulevard, opened in 1922 and Ruckerson has owned it since 1980.

"It has been an icon for the University," Ruckerson said. "Everybody knows this area by this store, it serves as meeting place and people call us for information about the University like what time is the football game and who is playing at Centennial Hall," he said.

Ruckerson recalls that, not long ago, a man was wandering around the store and after he asked the man if he needed any help, the man replied he was just looking around, remembering his days working in the old soda fountain. It turns out the man was a student who graduated in 1943, and came back to visit and "specifically came" to University Drug first.

ãWeâd love to be staying and still servicing our customers,ä Ruckerson said. ãI just want to thank everyone for the past 80 years,ä he said.

Due to the monthly leases, University Drug has been unable to make any improvements, like adding refrigerators for groceries or adding more prescriptions.

The monthly leases discourage improving a potentially lame duck store, Ruckerson said.

With the prospect of possibly having to vacate always around the corner, Ruckerson didnât feel that making improvements would make sense.

The rent for a new space, like the old GAP store, 825 E. University Blvd., would be a significant increase and would be prohibitive, Ruckerson said.

ãI donât understand what the Marshall Foundationâs mission is, because they say theyâre committed to the university students. How can they possibly be, taking away services for the students?ä Friends said.

According to Friends, other businesses do not want to see University Drug go, because fewer customers will come to University Boulevard and shop at the other businesses. University Drug brings 20-to-30 percent more customers to the area than any other store, attracting customers who visit other stores on University Boulevard. Friends said.

ãI donât have a choice, but Iâd much rather them stay open,ä said Mort Edberg, owner of Landmark Clothing and Shoes, 876 E University Blvd.