Founded by George Skenderian, it has employedseveral pharmacists over the years, says George'sgrandson Joseph Skenderian, himself a registeredpharmacist.

"What makes us different than the nationalchains like Walgreen's and others is we have avery loyal base of customers," Skenderian says.

"Certainly the national chains have their ownmarket niches, but we have been doing businesswith many of the same families for a long periodof time," Skenderian says. "After a while youlearn about their lives. A little bit of theirhopes and dreams. I really like the work I do."

When asked how has the community has changed inthe last ten years, Skenderian recalls severalarea businesses that no longer exist.

"Whenever I made the trip to Harvard Square,[my brother and I] always stopped at theWursthaus," Skenderian says. "We would get a goodsauerkraut and sausage and enjoy a great meal."

"Now, I understand along with The Tasty andother restaurants--and this is not just a HarvardSquare phenomenon, don't get me wrong--but Iunderstand many restaurants have closed or areclosing," Skenderian says.

"It's kind of sad really. I think it owes a lotto the loss of rent control," Skenderian saysreferring to the 1994 repeal of rent control inthe Cambridge which has resulted in much higherproperty values and rents for many residents.

A little further eastbound, at 1575 CambridgeSt. is Youville Lifecare, a hospital,rehabilitation center and soon-to-beassisted-living community.

Although the hospital serves all segments ofthe community, the majority of the patients areseniors. Seated outside is an elderly woman namedMillicent, a former dime-store shopkeeper.

"Cambridge used to be a wonderful place,"Millicent says. "When I was growing up--this wasback in the 1940s--most people either worked inEast Cambridge or they worked at the harbor inBoston."

"Nowadays, the people who work in Cambridgeusually do not live here. I think it leads to aloss of attachment," Millicent continues.

"I still think Cambridge is greatly diverse,and that is really special," Millicent adds. "Ijust worry that the pride and the character of thecommunity are going by the wayside."

Off the Beaten Path

Walking past Coady Galgay Florist, "The UnknownArea" of Inman Square gradually appears. Lookinglike it is caught in a time warp, half of InmanSquare has buildings dating from the 1800s andearly 1900s, but new development springing up allover the place also makes the area look extremelymodern.

Mike Rappucci, owner of Inman Pharmacy, Inc.,says he has noticed a few changes during his yearsin Inman Square.