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| Al Klein may have started his career as a pharmacist at a corporate drug store. But he's spent most of his professional life as the owner of a very different type of pharmacy—one that specializes in supplying and fitting medical equipment and devices in addition to filling prescriptions. Not only does his store, Becker Professional Pharmacy, carry a comprehensive range of hard to find medical products, but its employees also provide an uncommon level of personal service to customers. |
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| When he took a position as the manager of the Walgreens at the corner of Lawrence and Lincoln in 1969, Al Klein had no idea that he would soon be the owner of the pharmacy across the street. Then owned by Bernie Becker, Becker Professional Pharmacy had been an institution in Lincoln Square since 1942 when it moved to the neighborhood from its original location at Damen and Argyle. |
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| Al grew up on Chicago's North Side, just a few miles away in Rogers Park. His family owned Martin Klein, Inc., a dry goods store at Clark and Huron. When Al finished high school, his father encouraged him to experience other parts of the world. He recalls, "My father told me that I could go to any university that would accept me, provided that I left home." That university happened to be the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he studied biochemistry. As Al drew closer to finishing his degree, his experience as the son of an entrepreneur inspired him to change his career path. Rather than spend the rest of his life in a lab with test tubes and beakers, Al decided to become a pharmacist so that he could serve the public. |
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| Once he became a registered pharmacist in 1958, Al headed back to Chicago where he went to work as a pharmacist for Walgreens—then a growing drug store chain with several hundred stores. "The last Walgreens I managed was the store across the street in 1969," says Al, "so I wasn't a stranger to the neighborhood." One day, he learned through word of mouth from a drug company representative, then known as a "detail man," that Becker Professional Pharmacy was up for sale. He immediately spoke with Bernie Becker about buying the business. |
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 The transition from old to new owner went smoothly. Al maintained such a good relationship with Bernie, that he stayed on as an employee for Al's first three years as the new owner. "Bernie had his own clientele that was very different from the clientele I knew at Walgreens," recalls Al. "I got to meet a whole new group of people." Although Al was already an experienced pharmacist, he learned a completely different aspect of the business from Bernie, who had always specialized in durable medical equipment such as back braces, trusses, wheelchairs and ostomy supplies. "When I first bought the business from Bernie, I asked him, 'Why are you carrying this stuff?' His response to me was 'Because that's what makes us Becker Pharmacy,'" says Al. Becker's specialties were what guaranteed it a future in an extremely competitive market. In 1972 when Al bought the business, the government had just launched the new Medicare program, and it was beginning to cover prosthetics and other medical equipment. "I thought to myself," says Al, "this was the future." In its long history, Becker Pharmacy has never carried incidentals like cigarettes, newspapers and milk. It has always maintained its focus as a pharmacy known for supplying medical equipment. Despite his background at Walgreens, Al says, "I knew what my business was and what it was not." |
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| Doing business as a pharmacy has changed dramatically since the days when Becker was founded. In the 1940s, pharmacies typically filled about 15 to 20 prescriptions a day. Now, a high volume drug store can fill up to 300 prescriptions in the same period of time. A seemingly limitless number of drugs are available to treat a full range of illnesses. People are living longer than ever and require more drugs to maintain their quality of life. Becker still fills prescriptions and operates as a traditional pharmacy, serving some of the same customers it has as far back as 1972. Home delivery service is one of the extra features that Becker offers its customers, an unusual service for a drug store today. In the old days, Al delivered the medications himself. "If it was a snowy night, I would be out really late taking prescriptions to everyone," says Al. Today, Becker uses a professional delivery service that delivers to customers as far south as Chicago Avenue and north to Evanston and Skokie. |
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| Although Becker is very much a modern pharmacy, glimpses of its long history still exist. Its storeroom houses old pharmaceutical books and jars of chemicals dating back to when pharmacists mixed treatments by hand. In fact, Al still has a dentist as a customer who requests a specific mixture of cinnamon oil and zinc water that Al makes for him. "It's very time consuming," says Al, "but I've done it for him for years." One year, a group of students from University of Illinois came to Becker Pharmacy to view and classify the historic chemicals in the storeroom. |
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| Because of the nature of the business, the customers at Becker Pharmacy are typically either ill themselves or are the caregivers of an ill or injured person. At Becker, all customers are treated with great care and dignity. Al has six part time employees that are trained to work closely with customers and tend to their needs. Most employees have worked at Becker for a number of years; both Maureen and Rose have been there 17 years, Flavia has worked there for seven years, Mary for six years, and Luminta for four years. He also has an employee, Ruxandra, who has been there for one year. Becker Pharmacy has two fitting rooms, both of which are wheelchair accessible, where customers can receive close attention while they are fitted for medical devices in a private atmosphere. The pharmacy also offers training tapes in both English and Spanish that help take the mystery out of using the devices. "We cater to very ill people, who often feel uncomfortable," says Al. "We know how to efficiently work with them and send them home prepared." |
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 One of the pharmacy's greatest assets is the wide range of items it offers for those who face temporary or permanent medical conditions. Some of the products it carries include wound care items and bandages, Pulmo-Aide nebulizers for asthmatics, blood pressure monitors and stethoscopes. It stocks nursing equipment for new mothers, including Medela breast pumps. There's a large section of Jobst and Medistrum hosiery. It has egg crate matresses of all sizes (twin, double, queen, king) for those who are confined to their beds. An extensive bath section features bath aids including seats that hold up to 500 pounds. Just about the only things that Becker doesn't carry are oxygen tanks, motorized scooters or wheelchair ramps, but it can refer customers to other local companies that provide these items. It does offer a broad range of wheelchairs and walkers, as well as traditional and quad canes. "Our canes are very popular. We have clear Lucite canes that are practically invisible, or bright patterned ones that are popular now too," says Al. |
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| While many things have changed since Al bought Becker Pharmacy, others have remained the same. You'll still find Al working in the store when it's open, although its hours have condensed over the years. Al's wife of 43 years, Susan, sometimes helps him run the store a couple days a week. His two daughters, Barbara and Saralyn grew up working in the shop every Saturday. Barbara went on to work in finance for 10 years and now lives in Buffalo Grove, and Saralyn followed a path in the medical field as a pediatrician in Minneapolis. Al is still a member of the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce, and has been since he managed the Walgreens across the street. "There was no question that I would be a member once I bought Becker," says Al. |
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| What has ensured Becker Pharmacy's success throughout the years is its difference. "It's very tough for independent pharmacies now," admits Al. "The survival rate is not very good." As the neighborhood around the store is changing, Al is bringing in more products to serve the new residents. "Ten years ago our customers bought more geriatric products," says Al. "Now we're adding products for younger people, such as new mothers." Even after more than 30 years in business, Al continually works to build a name for Becker. He regularly sends out newsletters. He also sends information to every chain pharmacy on the North Side, as he carries complementary and not competitive products. Al gets many referrals as a result of the work he does to keep Becker in mind. |
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| The personal touches at Becker are part of what tells you that it doesn't fit the mold of a typical chain pharmacy. Instead of products, the display windows are filled with flowers and plants, which are tended by Rose. Large photographs on display in the waiting areas show images from around the world shot by Al himself, who is an avid photographer and traveler. And of course, the extra personal care that customers receive is a big part of Becker Pharmacy's success. "If you enjoyed being a boy scout, you'd love being a pharmacist," smiles Al. "It's a challenge, but I love helping people solve problems for themselves or for their loved ones." |
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Becker Professional Pharmacy
4744 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
773.561.4486
Hours
Monday through Friday 9am to 6pm
Saturday 9am to 4pm
Closed Sunday |
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