BRADY STREET PHARMACY SAYS "NO" TO DRUGS

But Cafe, Theater, Retail Functions Remain
Prescriptions Transfered to Hayek's

Special to the Readers of milwaukeeworld.com

By Michael Horne

The Brady Street Pharmacy, 1696 N. Astor St., has dispensed with its drug dispensing function, sold its inventory and transfered its files to Hayek's Shorewood Pharmacy, 4001 N. Downer Ave. The coffee shop -- now Cafe -, the intimate theater performance space and the variety store remain open as always on the busy corner. Owner Jim Searles, a registered pharmacist who stood behind the prescription counter 12 hours a day, seven days a week unassisted for decades, had been one of the few survivors in the formerly mom-and-pop drug store business, and withstood an onslaught from a Walgreens and CVS just blocks away.
However, as drug costs spiraled out of control, and as insurance companies became even more recalcitrant about settling claims, the pharmacy operation lost its luster.
The counter was always a jumpable one, and Searles refused to work behind glass, so security was a 24-hour concern for him. He says the rise of Oxycontin-related criminal activity is a concern throughout the industry. Even the Prescription Center, 330 E. Mason St., on a busy downtown block, now is protected by glass.
However, the transfer of the business to Hayek's, now one of the very, very few remaining independent pharmacies, came without notice on July 1st 2008. There were some signs, however, when Searles was unable to fill some common prescriptions for regular customers a few weeks previously.
Searles is coy about his new business plans, but has instituted late afternoon dinner specials at the cafe, and is planning something for the behind-the-counter where the drugs used to be and where he still stands, but he won't say what.. The inventory of personal goods, snacks and other items has thinned considerably, and cigars apparently have been discontinued. Searles says the lousy economy has hit his regular customers hard, and he is trying to keep his selection affordable. The cozy theater, never a profit center, is not heavily programmed, but has featured a variety of local productions including several notable Russian-language concerts. It is run by a separate non-profit, The Astor Street Performing Arts Center (ASPAC) The building is also a museum of old cinema equipment and contains a fair collection of early Milwaukee bottles which have been retained. The upstairs is a meeting area, and is used for practice by dance troupes and other organizations.
The exterior of the 1915 building, originally the Astor Theater, is being gradually remodeled to reflect the vintage original. New signs on the N. Astor St. frontage, replicating the original, read "Vaudeville" and "Photo Plays." Searles says he has been using the Astor Theater name since 2000, but it is likely locals will call the place "The Pharmacy" for years to come.
Searles is maintaining his pharmacist's license, which he he has held since 1969, although you are unlikely to find him filling in at Walgreens anytime soon. However, now that he is not responsible for being in his registered pharmacy during each and every minute it is open, (he lives upstairs on top of it) perhaps Searles might get a chance to visit Milwaukee for the first time in decades, and see for himself how businesses have evolved around here since the last time he got out.