Adzema Pharmacy – Great Old Fashioned Service and Lunch Counter

We went to check out the Adzema Pharmacy in Pittsburgh because I heard they had a lunch counter. What I was thrilled to find as well was old fashioned personal service from Pharmacist Jay Adzema himself ( I read his nametag :-))

During our short stay in Pittsburgh I developed one of those nasty summer colds, my head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, nose running, a real pretty sight. So it was handy that I had put the Adzema Pharmacy on my list since I really did need to get some medicine to stop the misery.

Entering the pharmacy we saw that the place was more than a pharmacy, with stationery items, gifts, a little bit of everything you might need. The serpentine lunch counter is off to the left. Packed with folks eating a late breakfast it was indeed a hubub of activity, with folks catching up with each other, eating and chatting with their neighbors. No vintage fixtures or furniture to speak of, but the sight of such a neighborly atmosphere was heartwarming.

Lunch counter noted, we followed the signs over to the cold and allergy aisle. We were promptly greeted by Pharmacist Jay Adzema, who's father founded the pharmacy in 1959. Mr. Adzema was dressed just like a pharmacist in an old advertisement, clean white jacket with high collar, nametag carefully placed above the pocket. He asked us what he could help with, and I was grateful for the expert advice as I really wasn't in much of a condition to be comparing packages.

I told him my symptoms and not only did he find something that would do the trick, he also asked if I had other symptoms, to assure that I got exactly what I needed. Mr. Adzema's friendly help saved me from having to navigate the confusion of all of the options, allowing me to get what I needed to feel better immediately. He asked if we needed anything else, and kindly pointed us to the Kleenex aisle, and then he was off, back behind the counter, to help another customer.

So the place may not have been the vintage Rexall we were hoping for, but the service and neighborliness of the place are something that you just don't find in one of the ubiquitous chain pharmacies. If I lived in the area, Adzema would be my go to place for sure.

Here's a neat video about the Adzema Pharmacy from Dave & Dave at WQED. Here you can see Jay in his pharmacist uniform and learn about the Frizzleburger!