Some towns keep their history in museums, and Ely, Nevada, keeps a slice of it behind a lunch counter. Out here on the high desert, one small-town drugstore still runs a real soda fountain, the kind where you can pick up a prescription and a chocolate malt on the same trip.
Lime rickeys are on the menu, sandwiches are stacked tall, and there is even a toy shop hiding downstairs. Road trippers stop because the place feels like a page torn out of an old family photo album.
Locals return because the folks behind the counter tend to remember them. Keep reading to learn where this fountain sits, what to order, when to go, and how to dodge the lunch rush that can turn a quick stop into a long wait.
A Drugstore With a Sweet Side on Aultman Street
Prescriptions in front, sundaes at the counter, and toys in the basement make for an unusual shopping list in one building.
Economy Drug & Old Fashioned Fountain sits at 696 E Aultman St, Ely, NV 89301, in the United States. It works as a small drugstore with a pharmacy and an old-style soda fountain under the same roof.
Aultman Street is a main route through Ely, so the shop is easy to reach for travelers passing through eastern Nevada. Many people make it a planned stop on long drives across the state.
The fountain is listed as a coffee shop, yet the menu leans toward sandwiches, ice cream, shakes, malts, and classic fountain drinks. That mix gives the place a split personality in the best way.
One half handles the practical side of life, with a pharmacist on hand who has been known to help customers with small needs, like ice for a sore wrist. The other half handles the fun side, with a counter where lunch and dessert happen.
Very few modern towns still have this setup. Here, it is not a theme or a recreation, but a working drugstore that kept its fountain going, and that alone makes the trip worth a detour.
Why Drugstore Fountains Still Matter
Ask anyone of a certain age about the corner drugstore, and the stories usually end at the soda counter.
For decades, American pharmacies served as gathering spots where neighbors grabbed a drink, a snack, and the latest town news. Most of those counters have faded away, replaced by drive-thrus and chain stores.
Economy Drug kept that tradition in play. Many people who stop here say it reminds them of the ice cream parlors inside the drugstores they knew as kids.
That reaction is a big part of the appeal. Grandparents bring grandkids to show them how things used to work, and the kids get to see it for themselves rather than in a movie.
Fun fact: fountain drinks were once a pharmacy specialty, since pharmacists were the ones mixing syrups and fizzy water. A pharmacy counter serving lime rickeys today is following a very old script.
The shop does not lean on gimmicks to tell this story. The building, the counter, and the menu do the work quietly, which is exactly why it feels real instead of staged.
Fifties Decor at the Counter
Retro is not a design trend here, it is simply how the place looks.
The fountain area carries a classic ’50s soda shop style, and that decor gets plenty of praise from people who stop in. The setting has an old-time quality that fits the drugstore around it.
Seating is limited. There is a small dining area plus spots at the serve bar, where regulars like to perch and chat with whoever is working.
Counter seats are a favorite for a reason. Staff often talk and joke with the people sitting there, so a solo lunch rarely feels lonely.
Because the space is small, busy hours can leave tables needing attention. During calmer stretches, the eating area tends to be tidy and comfortable.
Small art pieces are available for purchase too, adding a local touch to the room. It is worth a slow lap before or after your meal.
Nobody comes here for sleek modern design. They come for a counter and stools that look like they belong in a family scrapbook, and the room delivers.
The Lime Rickey Revival
Here is the drink that earned this fountain its headline.
The lime rickey is an old soda fountain classic made with lime and bubbly water, and it has nearly disappeared from American menus. At Economy Drug, it is alive and well.
Plenty of first-timers order one simply because they have never seen it anywhere else. For some, this counter is where they try their very first lime rickey.
The fountain also offers flavor twists. A pomegranate version has earned praise, even on days when the kitchen was running behind.
Families like ordering rounds of lime rickeys to go with lunch. Kids get a taste of something their grandparents drank, and adults get a quick trip back in time.
Another old-school option worth knowing is the iron port, a fountain drink some regulars urge newcomers to try. It is another rare find that most modern soda shops skipped.
Ordering one of these is a small way to keep a tradition running. Few drinks carry that much history in a single glass, and the price of admission is just a straw.
Sandwiches Stacked for Road Trippers
Sandwiches are the most talked-about item at this fountain, and the numbers back that up.
The menu lists subs by number and name, which makes ordering feel like a little game. Options include the #4 Mafia, the #7 Rancher, and the #8 Turkey Rock.
That last one has fans of all ages. A young diner once called the Turkey Rock the best sub she had ever eaten.
Meat comes piled high on soft French bread, and the vegetables are known for being fresh. Wraps are available too, including a Thai wrap that has drawn praise.
Staff sometimes suggest sauces. The chipotle mayo is a popular recommendation, and helpful workers have handed out a cup to sample.
Not every sandwich lands perfectly. On hectic days, some orders come out dry or heavy on mustard, and the menu does not offer sourdough.
Prices for a sandwich have averaged around $10.99. For most people, the size and freshness make that a fair trade on a long drive.
Hungry travelers should plan ahead, because these subs tend to fill a person up well before dessert calls.
Shakes, Malts and Sundaes
Dessert at a soda fountain is less of an option and more of a duty.
Economy Drug serves shakes, malts, sundaes, cones, and root beer floats. It is the full fountain lineup, the same kind of treats that once made drugstore counters famous.
The ice cream comes from Farr, a brand some loyal customers name as their favorite. Servers are known to be generous, sometimes adding extra to a child’s cone.
A large chocolate malt can be big enough for two people to share. That makes it a smart pick for families splitting dessert after lunch.
Sundaes have been a bargain in the past, with two-scoop versions once priced at $4.00. Flavor choices can be limited, and toppings may vary by visit.
Shakes get mixed opinions on thickness. Some people want them thicker, while others are happy with the classic style.
On rare busy holiday weekends, the fountain has even run out of milk for shakes. Calling ahead or arriving earlier helps avoid disappointment.
Still, a malt at a real drugstore counter is a hard experience to find, so the spoon is worth picking up.
A Toy Shop Hiding Downstairs
Most people expect a lunch counter and a pharmacy. Few expect a staircase leading to a toy store.
Below the main floor, Economy Drug keeps a little toy shop. It turns a meal stop into a mini adventure, especially for families with kids.
One highlight is a set of fun mirrors. Kids and parents alike enjoy heading down after eating to check out their stretched and squished reflections.
Staff upstairs will help out with questions about items in the toy store, including tracking down prices. That kind of help makes browsing easy.
The downstairs space also gives everyone something to do while the fountain catches up on orders. A short wait passes faster when there are toys to look at.
Grown-ups tend to enjoy it as much as the children. There is something charming about a pharmacy that saved room for play.
Plan a few extra minutes for the basement trip. Leaving without a peek would be like skipping the cherry on a sundae.
Hometown Hospitality Behind the Counter
“Be right there, hun” might be the unofficial motto of this fountain.
Friendly staff come up again and again when people talk about Economy Drug. One longtime team member, believed by regulars to be the manager, is known for joking with everyone at the bar and in line.
She has a habit of calling across the store to let waiting customers know they have been seen. That small gesture keeps people from feeling ignored, even during a rush.
The crew seems to enjoy their work, and that energy spreads across the room. Many describe the service as warm from start to finish.
The pharmacist earns praise too, for being polite and going out of his way to help with small needs.
No team is perfect every day. A few people have had rough experiences, including long waits without being greeted or a less friendly visit close to closing time.
Those moments seem tied to understaffing more than attitude. For most people who walk through the door, the welcome is a big reason they come back.
Beating the Lunch Rush
Popularity has a price, and here it is measured in minutes.
Economy Drug gets very busy, especially around lunch and on Saturdays. The fountain often runs with a small crew, sometimes just one person on drinks and ice cream and another on sandwiches.
On packed days, waits can stretch. Some people have waited up to 45 minutes for a sandwich during a Saturday lunch rush.
Holiday weekends are especially hectic. Around the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, the counter has struggled to keep up.
A little planning goes a long way. Arriving in the morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday usually means a calmer counter.
Patience helps too. The team works hard, and a relaxed attitude makes the experience smoother for everyone.
Takeout is a good backup plan. Many locals grab their order to go and enjoy it in the car or at home.
Timing really is everything at this counter, so treat the clock as part of your order.
Who Will Love This Stop
Some places suit a narrow crowd, but this counter casts a wide net.
Families are a natural fit. Kids enjoy the ice cream, the toy shop, and the fun mirrors, while parents get a hearty lunch.
Road trippers crossing Nevada will appreciate a dependable stop with easy parking. Many travelers make a point of pulling off the highway just for this fountain.
Locals use it as a regular lunch spot, including during workdays. That steady local crowd says a lot about its staying power.
Event visitors also show up. Families in town for the Star Train have made a lunch here part of their trip.
Nostalgia lovers may get the most out of it. Anyone who misses the old drugstore soda counter will find the same idea still working here.
The space is not ideal for big groups wanting a long sit-down meal, since seating is small. Pairs, small families, and solo diners at the counter tend to have the best time.
In short, if a malt and a story sound like a good afternoon, this stop fits right in.
Hours, Prices and Parking
A bit of practical planning keeps the fun on track.
Economy Drug is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Saturday hours run from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the shop is closed on Sundays.
The fountain may wrap up food service earlier than the store itself. Ordering close to the early afternoon can be risky, so aim for earlier in the day when hunger strikes.
Sandwiches have averaged around $10.99. Sundaes have historically been inexpensive, though prices can change over time.
Parking is easy, which is a relief for travelers with larger vehicles. Aultman Street is simple to find when driving through Ely.
The shop has a website at economydrugely.com, which is handy for checking details before a visit. Calling ahead is also smart on holiday weekends.
The place holds a 4.4-star average from more than 100 opinions online, a solid showing for a small-town counter.
With the hours saved in your phone, the only remaining choice is what to sip first.
A Counter Worth the Detour
Plenty of roadside stops promise nostalgia. Only a few actually deliver it with a pharmacy attached.
Economy Drug & Old Fashioned Fountain offers a rare mix of practical and playful. Stacked subs, shakes, malts, sundaes, and classic lime rickeys share space with prescriptions and a downstairs toy shop.
It is not flawless. Lunch rushes can be slow, seating is tight, and menu choices are simple.
Yet those quirks fit the small-town character. The staff’s warmth, the ’50s look, and the old fountain drinks give it a personality chains cannot copy.
The best approach is easy. Come on a weekday morning or mid-afternoon, grab a counter seat, and order something you cannot find back home.
Then take the stairs down for a quick laugh at the fun mirrors before heading back on the road.
Ely has plenty to explore, but this counter offers a simple reward at the end of a long drive. Some traditions are worth keeping, and this one comes with a straw.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.