Above / Partnership with Naper Settlement creates unique display at Naperville’s second-oldest business, once located along Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. (Photo courtesy Bill Anderson)
Update, Jan. 28, 2021 / Family-owned Chicagoland pharmacy celebrates sixth-generation ownership, 145 years in business, and surviving two pandemics
- A staple in the Naperville community, Oswald’s Pharmacy has announced that Alex Anderson has become the sixth-generation new owner of the pharmacy, taking over for his father, Bill. Oswald’s is the second-oldest business in Naperville.
- Coming on the heels of their 145th anniversary in 2020 – marked by an in-store history exhibit on their legacy, nonprofit donations, and customer giveaways – the family has now weathered two pandemics from the 1918 flu to COVID-19 in the 21st century.
- “We wouldn’t be here 145 years later without our ability to pivot to our community’s needs,” Alex Anderson said. “Naperville and the surrounding communities have been steadfast in their support and words can’t express how much we appreciate each and every one of our customers. I’m honored to continue our family’s legacy of personalized care and hope to pass it on to my own children.”
Originally Posted, Nov. 17, 2020 / A new pop-up exhibit documenting the history of Naperville’s second-oldest business is now on view at Oswald’s in Naperville Plaza, Gartner at Washington.
The oldest continually-owned family pharmacy in Illinois, Oswald’s partnered with Naper Settlement to celebrate its 145-year legacy with the creation of the exhibit.
Featuring artifacts donated from the Anderson family (owners and operators of Oswald’s for six generations) to the museum’s collection throughout the years, the exhibit also includes pieces from the family’s personal archives, dating back as early as the late 1800s.
Exhibit open during store hours
Free and open to the public, Oswald’s customers can enjoy the history of this Naperville staple while browsing the aisles, completing their holiday gift shopping, or getting their yearly flu shot through the end of the year.
“Naperville has a longstanding history of entrepreneurship and the family legacy of Oswald’s is a testament to that,” said Donna Sack, vice president and chief program officer of Naper Settlement. “Bringing history directly into the community is critical during times like these to keep our local story front and center.”
“My parent’s house, built by great-great-grandfather Wickel, has been in the family since it was built and is a repository for our family’s history,” stated Bill Anderson, fifth-generation owner of Oswald’s. “Generations have moved in and out of the home, but the attic and closets hold letters, pictures, memorabilia, and everyday items from prior generations. Getting to share our history with the community during this milestone year is a gift.”
Artifacts featured in the exhibit include family photos documenting the business’s impressive evolution over nearly a century-and-a-half; an itemized note from first-generation owner W.W. Wickel to fellow local Naperville businessman George Martin, original owner of the historic 1880s Martin Mitchell Mansion on the museum’s campus; and a Hamilton Beach Drink Master 4-fold Aerator, used at the Oswald’s soda fountain from the 1930s through the 1950s.
“Outside of serving our community as a pharmacy, we’ve constantly changed what we provide over the years,” said Alex Anderson, Oswald’s sixth-generation general manager. “Being in tune with our community, being agile, and changing with the times has really contributed to our history and longevity in Naperville.”
Alex Anderson continued, “Oswald’s was around during the 1918 influenza pandemic, so adapting at a moment’s notice to COVID-19 is in our blood. Our rapid changes to online shopping, acquiring a wide selection of PPE and disinfectants from our vast network of suppliers– big and small, local delivery seven days per week, and over-the-phone orders has kept us busy and able to continue to serve Naperville.”
While Oswald’s has donated dozens of artifacts over the years given their passion for local history, this is the first in-store partnership exhibit of its kind.
Naper Settlement is continually accepting submissions, including artifacts and oral histories, from community members like the Anderson family as part of their ongoing COVID-19 pandemic collecting initiative.
Sack added, “We are not only collecting to protect the past; we are collecting for the future. Think about what people will want to know 100 years from now about how Naperville navigated the pandemic and the events of 2020. That is what we are looking to archive in this moment.”
For more information, visit www.napersettlement.org.
Out of Positively Naperville Files…
Celebrate Oswald’s first 140 years on October 3, 2015
Originally Posted, Sept. 29, 2015 / Oswald’s Pharmacy, one of the city’s oldest businesses, will celebrate its 140th year in business on Sat., Oct. 3, at its location in Naperville Plaza. The entire community is invited to join the festivities and reminisce about how things used to be during the independently-owned family business’s growth and development since 1875.
Above / Black and white images showcase how the wizard transformed one location to living color all the way to 2015. (Vintage photos courtesy of Oswald’s)
According to owner Bill Anderson, Oswald’s is the oldest family-run pharmacy in the state and it is the second oldest business in Naperville, second only to Beidelman’s Furniture Store. Anderson is the fifth generation to own the store, which was started by his great-great-grandfather, W. W. Wickel in 1875.
“We are proud to say that this store has been in the family for 140 years and we are looking forward to celebrating with the Naperville residents, many of whom have helped our business thrive and become a page in our community history,” said Anderson.
Celebrate!
Located at 88 Gartner Road at Washington Street, Oswald’s will host a day of family fun on October 3 in recognition of its long run. From 10AM to 4PM guests can enjoy prize drawings, demonstrations, samples, specials, a coloring contest, an entertaining magician, free hot dogs and soda (noon to 1:30PM) in addition to a slice of 140th anniversary cake (1PM). Ozzie Goody bags will be available while supplies last.
Earlier this spring, the store added almost 5,000 additional square feet dedicated to the pharmacy’s Medical Equipment Department.
“We saw the need in our community for an extensive Home Health Equipment department,” notes Anderson. “Our new addition carries everything from walkers to lift chairs to knee braces and Dr. Comfort shoes.”
The store, open seven days a week, continues to deliver prescriptions and medical equipment throughout Naperville.
Plus, the store offers a large selection of gifts for all seasons, Naperville novelties and t-shirts (including Cock Robin ‘One in a Million’), all-occasion greeting cards, holiday wrappings, candies and much more.
Oswald’s also is a designated outlet for the U.S. Postal Service for all your mailing and packaging needs.
Hours on Saturday are 9AM to 6PM.
In celebration of Oswald’s Pharmacy’s new space, an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony will occur at the store at 4:30PM on Thurs., Oct. 1, 2015. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (Oswald’s Pharmacy is a 101-year Member!) will host the Ribbon Cutting. The City of Naperville will be represented by a public official.
Refreshments will be served at this catered event. The public is invited to attend.
For more information, visit www.oswaldspharmacy.com or call (630) 355-3500.
And, of course, the ribbon cutting featuring all the new looks and merchandise at Oswald’s is appropriately on “Throw Back Thursday.” Join the festivities and reminisce. Celebrate safely!
One more thing… Oswald’s Pharmacy is one of the locations where you can pick up a complimentary copy of Positively Naperville in print. The October 2015 is available today.
