DISPENSING free samples from behind the counter in a pharmacy is usually frowned upon, but last weekend Sweny's in Dublin was doing just that.
Famed for its lemon-scented soap, the store featured prominently in James Joyce's epic novel, Ulysses, earning it a cult following (PD 03 Apr).
Located in the heart of the Irish capital, Sweny's was facing closure after its landlord announced a rent increase.
Unlike most pharmacies, Sweny's has given up on prescription medicines and is now a volunteer-run museum, with no real business plan.
However, the pharmacy has been saved, and Joyce would have appreciated its saviour, Writers' Tears Premium Whiskey.
Literary fan and founder of the whiskey brand, Bernard Walsh, agreed to stump-up the money to save the pharmacy.
"The role played by the volunteers who have kept Sweny's open for the last 10 years has been immense in preserving Irish literary heritage for Dubliners and people the world over to experience," he said.
"They both need and deserve our support if they are to carry on. All of us at Writers' Tears are proud to play our part."
To honour Writers' Tears' role in saving the pharmacy and the hero of Ulysses, Leopold Bloom, last Sun, visitors to the store were treated to a dram of whiskey.
Three cheers for a happy ending!
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 20 Jun 19
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