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in
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End Of An Era

Orchard Mall Efros Sav-On closed

as part of CVS buyout.

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24

December 21 • 2017

jn

losing time on Monday, Dec. 4, was a surreal
moment for pharmacist David Efros; one he’ll never
forget. With tears in his eyes and one turn of a key,
he closed the Efros Sav-On store at the Orchard Mall for
the final time and, with it, closed a chapter on his family’s
nearly 70-year legacy in the drugstore business.
David, 65, and his brother Howard Efros, 69, owned and
operated
the West Bloomfield location from 1974 until
Alan Muskovitz
1999,
when
it was sold along with the Efros name to Sav-on
Contributing Writer
Drugs. The chain eventually grew to 20 stores until it was
recently purchased by CVS as a result of the company’s
bankruptcy.
“I walked out of the store in tears almost every day during
the last week,” Howard said.
The brothers didn’t know the exact day their store
would close or if the location would remain open as a
CVS until they were informed by a memo from the Sav-On
Corporation just a few days prior to the closing. David and
Howard called as many of their customers as possible to
inform them of the transition.
Efros is one of 10 Sav-Ons closing permanently, with the
other locations converting to CVS. Patient records have
been transferred to the new owners.
Having served multiple generations of cus-
tomers for seven decades, the single most
important thing to the Efros family was getting
a word of thanks and gratitude out to the com-
munity. To that end, David told me he sent a
note to the editorial department of the Jewish
News on behalf of his brothers Howard and
Barry, 61, the third and youngest pharmacist
son of the late founder Jerry Efros. I suggested
that the Efros legacy deserved a little more ink.
Howard and David Efros
In the letter, David wrote: “Sadly, after almost
70 years, there will no longer be a drugstore
with the Efros name on it in this community. Starting with
ABOVE: Efros
the original Efros Drugs opened by our father in Oak Park in
Sav-On Drugs,
1949, through our previous locations in Southfield, Livonia,
Orchard Mall.
Farmington Hills and our last store in West Bloomfield, we
would like to express our thanks for your years of patron-
age, your confidence and mostly your friendship. Thanks
for allowing us to be a part of your lives. It has truly been a
pleasure.”

A PROUD HISTORY

mi_sci

An Army veteran, Jerry Efros began building his brand just
four years after serving in the South Pacific during WWII.
With the tireless support of his eventual bride of 57 years,
Ada, of blessed memory, Jerry gained a reputation for being
one of the most dedicated professionals in the business.
“My dad was the hardest worker I’ve ever met and that was

continued on page 26