Coverage of the reopening of Frank's Pharmacy in the "Western Queens Gazette" on October 22, 2014:
Frank’s Pharmacy To Hold Grand Reopening Celebration
2014-10-22 / Features
Veteran pharmacist, Queens-born Frank Buonagurio, is thrilled to open the doors of the new location of Frank’s Pharmacy at77-01 37th Ave. in Jackson Heights. A Grand Reopening celebration will take place on Saturday, October 25, from noon until 3 p.m. The whole neighborhood is invited. Photo Alan Barnett Photography
Six months after a devastating fivealarm blaze destroyed Frank’s Pharmacy, this well-loved neighborhood institution has reopened and will hold a special public celebration on Saturday, October 25 from noon until 3 p.m.
The Grand Reopening event for Frank’s Pharmacy will take place at the store’s new location, 77-01 37th Ave. in Jackson Heights, just steps away from its former address. The opening ceremony will take place from 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m. and will include a ribbon-cutting by owner Frank Buonagurio, as well as speeches of support from state Senator Jose Peralta (District 13) and Councilmember Daniel Dromm. Both Peralta and Dromm will officially proclaim October 25 “Frank’s Pharmacy Day”. The public is invited to attend.
Frank’s Pharmacy will distribute refreshments and treats for young and old alike, as long as supplies last. There will also be prize raffles held for adults and children in attendance.
“I am humbled by the outpouring of neighborhood support that followed the fire. Everyone did what they could to ensure that we would be back on our feet as soon as possible,” said Buonagurio. “Keeping our neighbors healthy is a responsibility we take very seriously. So we are really glad to be back!”
The rebirth of Frank’s Pharmacy is an inspiring story that demonstrates the tightknit community spirit of the Jackson Heights historic district. On Apr. 21, 2014, a five-alarm fire began in the early evening and ripped through the Bruson Building at 74-09 37th Avenue. Frank’s Pharmacy was among the 50 tenants whose businesses were completely demolished. Inventory and personal effects in Frank’s Pharmacy were destroyed, including family photos and many items from a rare collection of hundreds of antique medicine bottles collected over several decades.
This devastating fire could have meant the end of Frank’s Pharmacy. But even before the flames were extinguished, Buonagurio made a vow that he would rebuild. Support to help rebuild came from all overQueens, equally from neighbors and city and local officials. In fact, the new landlord refused lucrative offers from national chains and insisted that Frank’s Pharmacy take the space. The new site has 2,300 square feet on the ground floor with an additional 2,300 square feet of basement storage space.
A native of Astoria, Buonagurio first opened Frank’s Pharmacy in 1991 in Jackson Heights. From the start, he was committed to providing old-fashioned, personalized service in an era of corporate pharmacies and big-box stores. Frank’s is truly a family business, as Buonagurio operates the business with his twin sister, Grace. Buonagurio is well known for giving back to the neighborhood; he has received several awards for years of charitable giving to area charities.
The reopening of Frank’s Pharmacy is a celebratory event, not only for the Buonagurio family and staff, but for the neighborhood customers that have come to depend on Frank’s for their complete healthcare needs.
The new location for Frank’s Pharmacy at 77-01 37th Avenue is truly a full-circle homecoming. The address is the former location of Maram Pharmacy, where Buonagurio worked in the early 1990s. The Grand Reopening on October 25 promises to be the happiest chapter in the ongoing story of Frank’s Pharmacy.
Frank’s Pharmacy is on the Web at www.frankspharmacyny.com.
Link to original article.
