In this fifth column, I am speaking to Mr. Jack Pavis, a native of Mount Carmel who, with Peter Stahl, purchased the landmark Newhard Pharmacy in Northampton from the previous owner, Mr. Aaron Newhard in 1969.

Mr. Newhard's original drugstore was destroyed by fire in 1956, so his Rexall Drugs store was relocated across Main Street to 1216 Main St.

The new owners realized the building was too small and parking was limited for Newhard's many loyal customers, so they looked to expand, but where?

Northampton is a very compact community with little area for new construction.

Mr. Pavis and Mr. Stahl wanted a central location for the planned new pharmacy.

They were fortunate when they were told the old Northampton and Bath Railroad was downsizing.

The historic 8-1/2-mile rail line, which served the Atlas Portland and Keystone Cement companies, was losing shipping to the trucking industry.

The railroad company's office was located less than a block from the 1216 address.

They contacted officials of the railroad and asked if the property was for sale.

After some negotiations they were able to purchase the property.

Unfortunately, the sturdy concrete structure was razed in 1974.

The construction of the new Newhard's Pharmacy required intensive planning because of the land topography.

Entrance and egress for the customers had to ensure a steady flow of traffic to the pharmacy.

The prime contractor was Mr. Joseph Bartakovits, who was the father-in-law of Mr. Pavis, so construction moved along smoothly.

The new Newhard Pharmacy opened to the public on Nov. 3, 1975. It was incorporated Jan. 1, 1976, and the Newhard name would continue to serve loyal customers.

Mr. Pavis reflected on the store's name. When the store building was completed, a student came into the pharmacy and asked permission to use the phone to call his mother, because he had missed the bus.

"Mom would you please pick me up, I'm at Newhard's," Mr. Pavis heard him say. "That said it all – even a young student viewed the name as an important part of the community," Mr. Pavis said.

"When we purchased the old pharmacy there were show glasses hanging in the building. They date back to colonial times," he said. "The vessels hold colored water. In old apothecaries the color of the vessel indicated if any disease plagued a community.

"Mr. Newhard said, 'I'll give you the glasses but you must promise to keep them in the store and never sell them.' We agreed."

Mr. Pavis then showed me this artifact from our past. I have seen them in the past and thought it was a simple decorative drugstore item.

He also recalled, "When I first came to Northampton, the first two gentlemen I met were Mr. Anthony Pany, mayor, and Mr. Albert (Piffie) Boyer, a resident and Northampton County commissioner."

The 1976 Northampton Diamond Jubilee commemorative booklet said these kind words about Newhard's which hold true today: "The partners at Newhard Pharmacy have shown confidence in Northampton, and the town in return has confidence in them."

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We will conclude the Newhard series in two weeks. Be here for the conclusion!