Norwood Drugs closing after 60 years

by BRIAN NADIG

Norwood Drugs, an independent pharmacy and home healthcare store, is closing after 60 years in business.

“It’s a great neighborhood. It’s really been great for business,” said owner Steve Karagiannis.

The proximity of O’Hare Airport, the Kennedy Expressway, several retirement centers and Presence Resurrection Medical Center have played a key role in generating a customer base, Karagiannis said.

The last day for prescription orders will be Wednesday, Feb. 14, and then all patient records will be transferred to the Jewel-Osco at 7342 W. Foster Ave. The store will remain open for a few more days until the remaining merchandise is sold.

Norwood’s original owner Paul Feldman opened the pharmacy in the mid-to-late 1950s. When Karagiannis purchased the business in 1996, it was located at 6165 N. Northwest Hwy., whose current occupant Ada’s Market & Deli recently announced that it is closing.

In 2005, Karagiannis relocated the business to 7124 W. Higgins Ave., where it merged with Higgins Pharmacy.

“I plan to visit my son in Houston and see how it is in Houston, maybe work part-time,” the 66-year-old Karagiannis said. “I definitely want to be active for the next 10 years.”