Long before CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens were the norm, the family-owned Sousan Pharmacy served the Elkins Park community for decades until its closure in 2011.
According to local historian Chuck Langerman, the drugstore featured a soda fountain and a food counter, and employed many Cheltenham High School students over the years. Its owners, the Haaz family, were known to deliver prescriptions and other items, especially to elderly customers who lived in the area.
Facebook memories include:
My dad worked weekends at Sousan’s Pharmacy for years! I remember more than one family friend getting watches for presents because it was the only non-drug thing we could buy on a Sunday (remember Blue Laws) when we had forgotten we needed a gift.
My dad worked at Sousan’ , Kohuts’ , and Clements pharmacy on Mt Carmel over 40 years ago. I Ran deliveries at Kohuts in 1972. Damn they was 40 years ago too, time to take a nap..
Our family patronized it for years. That kind of personal service is falling away, and it’s a serious loss for us all.

The featured photos were taken by 1976 Cheltenham High School graduate and professional photographer Walter Plotnick, circa 1972.
8029 Old York Road, the pharmacy’s former home, went on to become Charlie Kim Insurance & Financial Inc.


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