New Merchandise Arriving Daily jews d in the End Of An Era Orchard Mall Efros Sav-On closed as part of CVS buyout. C STONE'S JEWELRY 6881 Orchard Lake Rd. on the Boardwalk (248) 851-5030 stonesfinejewelry@gmail.com Curiosity. Wonder. Discovery. Surprise. What’s YOUR Element ? Explore hands-on exhibits, gaze at the stars, discover new worlds in our IMAX ® theatre, and take part in live stage shows. As Michigan’s STEM Hub, we aspire to become a premier institution for informal science, technology, engineering, and math learning experiences in the state. www.Mi-Sci.org MI.Science.Center mi_sci The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofi t organization. 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