Over a span of many years, Greenfield had several drug stores and pharmacies, filling everyone’s prescriptions and selling over-the-counter drugs and other items.
One of the oldest was a store named Hovery’s. Elsewhere, near the Garden Theater, there was a large store named Fiske and Strecker’s. My parents and I got most of our prescriptions filled there.
On the south side of Main Street there was Sullivan’s, which had very knowledgeable and caring people who told their customers about the drugs and were very friendly to everyone. Another, Sullivan’s was one of the best.
On the north side of Main Street was Liggett’s, near the S.S. Kresge’s store. Around the corner of Federal Street was Charron’s, the owner of which also had a second store on upper Federal Street where Brown Motors is now. Near the Lawler Theater on Federal Street was Skinner’s.
Sullivan’s also had a second location on the corner of Long Avenue and upper Federal Street. This building now has a beauty salon and laundry facility filling it.
A lot has changed over the years. Today, Walgreens has a pharmacy at the Valley Medical building and another in Tuners Falls at the former Rite Aide store. CVS on Federal Street is one of the busiest and largest pharmacies in this area.
These are the stores that I remember from over the years. If I have forgotten any, I am sorry. I tried my best to remember them all. I hope that all of you enjoyed reading another one of my memories — I am running out of them. Thank you to all the readers of this Times Past column for your support.
Robert Bitzer, 92, of Erving is a lifelong resident of Franklin County, having been born in Greenfield. His columns are inspired by extensive photo albums and thorough collections of correspondence he has compiled over the years.