By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jan 08, 2018 at 12:56 PM

In 2011, OnMilwaukee interviewed Bill Quandt, the owner of Hayek’s Pharmacy in Shorewood, for a profile about the now 100-year-old business. In the interview, Quandt said he was uncertain of the long-term status of the corner drugstore, but that "I think we'll be able to stick around for a while. At least until our 100-year anniversary in 2018."

Hayek's made the 2018 goal, but sadly, it will close for good on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Quandt was unavailable for comment, but it's rumored that opioid thefts, which have increased at numerous local pharmacies in the last couple of years, contributed to the decision to close.

Hopefully, Thompson's Serv-U Drugs on the west end of Shorewood and Wauwatosa's Swan Serv-U Pharmacy will continue to thrive. Milwaukee, like most cities, has lost many old-school pharmacies over the years, including Oriental Drugs and Brady Street Pharmacy. 

I lived on Downer Avenue for a few years of my childhood and often went to Hayek’s with my sister. I bought many orange Push-Ups there and also a baton. (Never did master the twirling, though.)

Hayek’s will be open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will close for inventory on Wednesday and then reopen for one final day on Thursday to sell remaining non-pharmaceutical merchandise. I plan to swing by. I wonder if they still sell Push-Ups?

To read about the history of Hayek's, go here.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.