PROCLAMATION from Peter J. Tesei, First Selectman
WHEREAS, Grannick's Pharmacy has long been a staple of the Greenwich community. It is the legacy of pharmacist and entrepreneur Irving Grannick, who was born in 1916 in New Haven. In the 1930s he attended Yale University to become a physician. Unfortunately, due to the Depression, during his second year he was unable financially to continue at Yale. He then transferred to the New Haven College of Pharmacy, which later became part of the University of Connecticut, and earned his pharmacy degree. It was this bit of misfortune that changed his course in life and led to his success in other areas. One of them being Grannick's Pharmacy; and
WHEREAS, In 1940 while working as a pharmacist at Whelan's Pharmacy in Danbury, Irving was sent to manage their Greenwich location. After falling in love with the Town and its residents, he decided to relocate and open his own pharmacy. In 1942 he opened his pharmacy on Greenwich Avenue. It was in this era of the "Mom and Pop" stores that he moved to a larger location as his business grew. From the late 1940s to 1966 the pharmacy was located where Betteridge Jewelers resides today. In 1966 he moved the pharmacy to its current location at 277 Greenwich Avenue; and
WHEREAS, In those days pharmacy was quite different than what it is today. For example, the pharmacy once had a soda fountain where food was cooked by his wife Mary Grannick, specializing in her Shepherd's pie and beef stew. This family friendly environment became a second home to many a Greenwich resident. The pharmacy connected to the people as more than a store, and for decades solidified its place in the community. Even as businesses have come and gone, and corporations have dominated the sales space in every town in the country, Grannick's has stood strong and is one of the last family-owned businesses in town; and
WHEREAS, Grannick's Pharmacy is a true family business rooted in Greenwich. Irving's son Charles became the 2nd generation to become a Pharmacist and Charles' son Jeffrey is now the 3rd generation. Jeffrey along with his brothers Evan, Harris, and Mitchell continue to operate the pharmacy to this day. Each family member specializes in a different area of the business, but come together to run it as a whole. As lifelong residents of Greenwich and loving members of its community, they continue what Irving started almost 80 years ago and plan to do so forever.
NOW, THEREFORE, l, PETER J. TESEI, FIRST SELECTMAN OF THE TOWN OF GREENWICH, do
hereby proclaim Tuesday, November 26, 2019 as
Grannick's Pharmacy Day
in the Town of Greenwich and urge all our citizens to join me in celebrating and recognizing the Grannick family's accomplishments and contributions in the Town.