Dr. Murray Kofler Founder of Shoppers Drug Mart
On my walk at Holy Blossom Memorial Park, I discovered the grave of Dr. Murray Koffler, the pioneering pharmacist behind Shoppers Drug Mart and co-founder of Four Seasons Hotels.
Born in Toronto, Murray’s early days were shaped by working alongside his father in their family drugstore near College and Borden Streets, just north of Kensington Market—a corner steeped in history (I even managed to snap a photo of the original store).
In 1962, Murray opened his first 4,000-square-foot Shoppers Drug Mart at the Shoppers World Plaza on the Danforth. His revolutionary idea: to create a self-serve pharmacy that still maintained the personalized service of a neighborhood pharmacist. His bold vision paid off quickly—within six years, he had expanded to 52 stores by merging with 33 Plaza drug stores across Ontario.
First Shoppers Drug Mart opened in Shoppers World Danforth in 1962.
Shoppers Drug Mart blossomed into a national success. By 2007, it celebrated its 1,000th store in Canada, further growing through acquisitions of Cunningham Drug Store in Western Canada and Ontario’s Big V stores.
Beyond business, Murray and his wife, Dr. Marvelle Koffler, were tireless philanthropists—championing charities, hospitals, and cultural organizations that continue to benefit Canadians.
Honoured with the Order of Canada in 1977 and the Order of Ontario in 1992, Murray’s legacy reaches far beyond pharmacy shelves. He was also a founder of the Canadian Jewish News and a generous patron of the arts.
Murray Bernard Koffler passed away in Toronto on November 5, 2017, at the age of 93.
In 2014, Shoppers Drug Mart joined forces with grocery giant Loblaw’s in a $12.4 billion acquisition, blending pharmacy and groceries.
1924-2017
