St. Paul Corner Drug, an independent pharmacy in St. Paul, is bidding farewell to its old-fashioned soda machine.

The pharmacy at 240 Snelling Ave. S is calling Saturday's event a "retirement party" for the soda fountain that's happening because the store is reconfiguring itself "to better serve patients in today's evolving healthcare environment."

The event celebrates a kitschy relic of a different era, but St. Paul Corner Drug says it underscores a "sobering trend" for independent pharmacies in the U.S.'s tumultuous healthcare system.

"Minnesota's independent pharmacies are being squeezed by rising costs, unfair pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices, and shrinking reimbursements, forcing many to make difficult decisions just to stay open," the store says in a statement.

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