On Feb. 24, Jack A. Pavis, the owner of Newhard Pharmacy, announced that his son, John J., has taken over the business.

"It's time for John to start making decisions," Jack said. "I am confident that the store is going to flourish and continue to grow."

Also on Feb. 24, Jack celebrated his 46th anniversary as owner of Newhard Pharmacy.

Jack Pavis and Peter J. Stahl purchased a much smaller pharmacy from Aaron Newhard, which would later thrive.

The path that Pavis and Stahl took began in Allentown in 1969. Pavis hooked up with the now-defunct Dennis Drug Company, where he met Stahl.

On the winter morning of Feb. 24, 1969, the two men purchased the pharmacy from Newhard. It was located at 1216 Main St. And, in 1975, the present site of Newhard Pharmacy took shape at 1001 Main St.

It has thrived and expanded there since.

Stahl retired in January 2014.

"Our business has excelled on the strength of dedicated professionals, knowledge and customer service," Jack said. "After 46 years, I feel confident my son John is ready to carry on the tradition of Newhard Pharmacy as a progressive, independent pharmacy serving the Lehigh Valley."

Jack said while he intends to help out where he can, he looks forward to enjoying time with family.

"I intend to continue to help John and his wife, Deborah, on a consultant basis," he said. "I feel I have the best of both worlds: still keeping myself busy in the profession of pharmacy and having more leisure to spend with my wife, Charlotte, our children, Michele, John and Michael, and our eight grandchildren."

John said he considers himself fortunate to have worked under the helm of his father.

"I am blessed to have been able to learn this business from my dad and spend so many years working side by side," John said. "I am grateful that he is still willing and able to work as he eases into retirement. It works for us both. I still have him as an adviser, but he can relax knowing that the added stressors of today's business world won't be keeping him awake at night."

The pharmacy, Jack and John said, will continue to remain a high-quality enterprise in Northampton.

"Newhard Pharmacy has established an outstanding reputation for quality products and services," they said. "Our reputation is superior due to our dedicated employees. Every employee's actions, every day, with every customer is what makes our pharmacy different from the rest. We take pride in all we do, however small, and always put our best foot forward. Our success is a direct result of the loyalty of our customers and employees. In this day and age of competitive business and national chains, it is a struggle to keep the business family owned and thriving. We are lucky to be in Northampton, where our customers and employees help keep our dream alive."