A Message From Alex April 2024

My kids had Spring break at the end of April, like most schools in the area. While the actual ‘Bring Your Kid to Work Day’ is the fourth Thursday in April, I jumped the gun by bringing them to work with me a few times over break. On the last day of Spring Break, I asked my daughter Tillie what her favorite part was, and she replied “Working at Oswald’s!” Mind you, we also went to the Brookfield Zoo,  the movies, out to eat a few times, an Easter Egg hunt, and a handful of other activities that I imagine most kids would deem more fun than working.

Working at Oswald’s Pharmacy

Though, I can relate to her! I loved spending time at the pharmacy when I was a kid. Once my Mom started working full time (at her personal training studio, Reality Fitness—located above Oswald’s when we were located in Downtown Naperville!), we spent a lot of summer days at the pharmacy. I’d ‘help’ employees ring customers out, stock beanie babies and OTC drugs (guess which one was more fun?) and when that got too boring, you’d just play! Our original Downtown Naperville location—now Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen– had a large basement with a 60’ conveyor belt! My siblings and I treated it more like a playground, much to my Dad’s chagrin at times.

Photo of Alex's kids Tillie and Arlo working at Geneva with Oswald's Team Members Linda and Karen.

Our current location is 3x the size of the old store. While we don’t have the extremely old low-ceilinged basement with a 60’ conveyor belt, I’d like to think in my kids’ mind, that we make up for it with a dramatically increased toy selection, an upstairs office to help their Grandpa do some bookwork, and plenty of candy if they earn it ‘helping out’. If you’re a fan of our No Whey allergy-friendly candy—you can thank my daughter Tillie, whose food allergies led me to find No Whey and other great allergy-friendly treats. While you wouldn’t think the medical equipment department is the most exciting for kids, a chair with a remote control can be pretty exhilarating—for those of adequate height, it helps you stand. At a child’s stature… It’s more of a slide! *Adult supervision is required.

Spring Health Screening Fair

While not Oswald’s most kid-friendly event, on Saturday 4/20, we’re having our Spring Health Screening Fair from 10am-12pm with our friends from Midwestern University Pharmacy School. They’ll be offering blood pressure, blood sugar, A1C, and pulse/ox testing. Our Pharmacy Technician and Marketer, Nancy, will be giving away free Oswald’s goodies, raffling off a gift basket, discussing our pharmacy services, and taking back expired medication! (no liquids, needles, ointments, or creams) we look forward to seeing you there!    ꝶ

Written by Alex Anderson

Alex is the current owner of Oswald's Pharmacy. A 6th generation member of the Wickel-Oswald-Kester-Anderson family, Alex focuses on innovation and taking the business into the future. With 7 years of working for Whole Foods Market as a Marketing & Community Relations Specialist, Healthy Eating Specialist, and Private Events Coordinator, Alex has a unique perspective on big and small businesses. Alex is a co-founder and board member of the Independent Medical Retailers group. Alex graduated with a BA degree from Columbia College Chicago in 2009. Alex has spent most of his life in Naperville and Chicago. He currently lives in Naperville with his 2 children (Oswald's 7th Generation!)