lokalgood

Poster: Dana Damico (www.feastafterfamine.com)

My five-year-old slumped off the school bus the other day clutching her ear and crying.

“My ear hurts really, really, really, really, really, really bad,” she said.

One of her three siblings was feeling poorly too and I could see a rough night ahead. So, instead of crossing the street for home, we marched right up to The Neighborhood Pharmacy on the Avenue. I bought three bottles of children’s Motrin and one bottle for infants before heading home.

A trip to the doctor first thing the following morning confirmed the obvious: a “really” bad ear infection.

For the second time in two days, we stopped by the pharmacy for help. I dropped off the prescription and told Owner and Pharmacist Stacey Swartz I’d be back for the medicine if I could get my next-door neighbor to watch the children.

Not to worry, she said. They would deliver.

Wait! What?

Deliver?

I had spent the past few days nursing sick kids and my own sinus infection. My husband recently fell ill with the flu too. I cannot tell you how grateful I was for that simple act of convenience and kindness.

Allyson Eichner, the pharmacy’s technician, knocked on my door a few hours after I dropped off the prescription. The kids were all napping — sleeping off the funk and refueling their bodies. She delivered the medicine with a smile and talked about what a pretty day it was to be out for a walk.

I shared the incident later with friends outside Del Ray and they all marveled at the idea of a neighborhood pharmacy with friendly folks that care for their customers. “It sounds like Mayberry,” one said.

In a way, yes. But it’s not fictional.

You can find Stacey and Allyson at 2204 Mount Vernon Avenue. I’m sure you’ll find them as knowledgeable and personable as I have.

[Note they also have a useful blog on health related info.]

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