Manito Pharmacy Closing; Files Going To Safeway

The Manito Pharmacy is closing its doors today after nearly 90 years in business on the South Side.

Owner and pharmacist Armand Ahrendt said he no longer wants to devote the amount of time it takes to run a small pharmacy.

Ahrendt has owned the business for 25 years. His current lease at 3016 S. Grand Blvd. expires today.

He said he is going to go to work for Safeway stores as a pharmacist, and Safeway will take over his prescription files.

In recent years, Ahrendt said it has been hard to find pharmacists willing to work on a fill-in basis. By working for Safeway, he said, he will be able to enjoy regular days off and not have to worry about finding someone to work for him if he is sick or wants to take vacation.

The pharmacy was opened in 1919 by Leslie and Alice Sherrard. Leslie Sherrard died in 1933, and Alice Sherrard continued to operate the pharmacy until 1939.

She died in Seattle in 1965.

, DataTimes