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When I first heard of C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries, located in Manhattan’s West Village, I had been knee-deep in my Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy phase – common for girls in their 20’s trying to look effortlessly beautiful. Carolyn’s minimalist style can be attributed to her small yet chic accessories – some which could still be attained at C.O. Bigelow. Noted as the country’s oldest apothecary, the store was founded in 1838 by Dr. Galen Hunter. Since then, the store has served many famous New York personalities and academics such as: Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Mark Twain, John F. Kennedy Jr. and as previously mentioned, Carolyn, his better half. According to the store’s website, there’s a rumor that Thomas Edison used a cream from the store to treat a burn on his fingers while testing the early prototype of a “small” invention – the lightbulb. 

Upon my first excursion into the store, I realized why it has been so popular amongst New Yorkers for so long – it has everything: hair care, skincare, a full pharmacy, even little bags of candy located near the check-out. You’ll also find the headbands that Carolyn often purchased, pairing them with her famous, yet understated Prada and Calvin Klein outfits. The pricing for some of these items may seem a little steep, but the quality of their inventory is worth it. 

For a store that has been around for over 170 years, the aura that the store sets are of calm and familiarity. What else keeps the store timeless is that its inventory falls in line with what wellness “hacks” are deemed popular. For example, on my journey around the store, I found a small tin case filled with tape you can put over your mouth for a more restful sleep. I can’t confirm nor deny if this has any health benefits, but anyone with an active presence on social media will know what I’m talking about. 

The love of C.O. Bigelow has been passed down from generation to generation – and that trait of familiarity has loomed over customers for well over a century. While I was stuck looking at gua sha rollers, I noticed a lovely employee greeting numerous customers as if they were old friends. There were rumblings of “Oh, hi! How are you?” to “It’s been a while! Where have you been?” 

I didn’t feel like I was intruding – the employees made me feel like a new member of the family. A family I wouldn’t mind being a part of – especially since their headband collection is one to truly admire. 

Something else about families? They protect one another. Bigelow also doubles as a trusted pharmacy that customers have been using since its inception. Knowledge of your customer also involves a knowledge of their medical history. The longer a patient has been coming to a pharmacy, the longer the pharmacist and their staff are aware of the patient and their needs. Dr. Rock Positano, Director of the Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery, stresses the importance of a fine-knit pharmacy – and why one like Bigelow is more successful than other chain pharmacies. “Bigelow’s attention to detail is exemplary, which displays itself in their employees having a great knowledge of the patient’s medical history, leaving no room for errors or adverse reactions. You’re more than someone paying for pills. You’re not just a name. You’re a customer who is known.” 

The store has changed ownership numerous times, notably in the 1960’s, when Jerry Ginsberg took over from his father, William. According to the store’s website and a piece in The New York Times, Jerry preferred a career in music, but his ownership of C.O. Bigelow helped save the store in an era when selling your little “mom and pop shop” to chains and department stores was the norm. 

In 1920, the store opened a lunch counter with a soda fountain, becoming a famous lunch spot for many New York artistic personalities, such as Monroe, DiMaggio, even the cast of Saturday Night Live, up until the counter served its last meal in 1984. 

Over 170 years later, the pharmacy’s chemists continue to creative innovative formulas, keeping up to date with the latest technology, while also maintaining a space similar to that of your aunt’s house when you and the family go over for the holidays (hopefully it’s a positive experience at Aunt Mary’s). 

Needless to say, C.O. Bigelow isn’t going anywhere soon. 

Author(s)

  • Kendall DuPre is a writer based in New York City. A graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, she also received a degree in creative writing. She has had pieces published in The New York Post, and has served as a creative consultant on many projects, such as the book Street Smart, as well as the albums Rhythm of the World from the Cowsills and Michael Imperioli's band, Zopa, whose upcoming album Diamond Vehicle, is set to debut early next year.