share in retail increased from 50 percent with competitors such as Watsons getting a 6 percent share of the market. As of 2017, Mercury Drug has reportedly over 1,000 branches across the country. In the early 2010s, it opened a new building, MDC100, located in Eastwood City, Quezon City. Urban legends There are urban legends about why Mercury Drug stores are non-existent inside SM Malls. One story claims that Henry Sy, a businessman selling footwear who would eventually establish SM Supermalls, was rejected a rental space to sell shoes at Mercury Drug, while also claiming that Sy remembered this and as a result, secured Watsons as the pharmacy in his malls. Another story claims that Sy was selling footwear in front of Mercury Drug as a sidewalk vendor and then was shooed away by drugstore's security guards. The story also adds that after years have passed, Mercury Drug had allegedly asked to rent a space at SM malls but was "rejected" and "banned" because Sy had remembered the incident of being driven off by guards. Sy was silent about the truthfulness of these urban legends. In 2002, his daughter, Teresita Sy-Coson, wrote The Philippine Star and stated that his father and Mariano Que were "good friends and this friendship extends to family members." Furthermore, she said that the two companies could not agree on rental rates, which is the "only reason" why there is no Mercury Drug store in SM malls. Likewise, Mercury Drug said in an official statement that they have "a high regard for Mr. Henry Sy and the SM Enterprise" and they "respect each other's business endeavors and maintain a friendly attitude toward each other." Subsidiaries Tropical Hut Mercury Drug is also the owner of the popular food chain Tropical Hut. It was the biggest fastfood chain for hamburgers in the country from the 1960s to 1970s. President Benigno Aquino III considered hamburgers his comfort food and usually visited its branch at Jaka Plaza along Sucat Road in Parañaque as it was his favorite restaurant. References External links Official Website Mercury Drug History Pharmacies of the Philippines Pharmacy brands Companies based in Quezon City Retail companies established in 1945 Philippine companies established in 1945 1945 establishments in the Philippines