PRECIOUS few work into their 90s, but sooner than later, this will be a milestone achieved by a Memphis, Tennesse pharmacist.
The aptly named Dr Charles Champion, who has operated a herbal pharmacy in the city's south for almost 40 years, has become lore around south Memphis.
'Champions Pharmacy' is still staffed by its titular pharmacist, who, despite losing his sight, shows up to work every day.
Champion was one of the first African-American pharmacists to work in one of the city's hospitals, when he joined John Gaston Hospital after a tour in the army, and soon became one of the first Afro-Americans hired by a chain store in Memphis.
Later on, he went out on his own, opening Champions Pharmacy in 1981 on Third Street and Mallory.
"You have a community here in what we call the southwest part of Memphis called Boxtown...had no physicians, no dentist there," Champion explained to local news.
"A lot of people, they're dependent on herbal medicine...I started to refresh myself about the different herbs, and I start putting the herbs on the counter."
It's not just Champion ploughing through the days on his own now either - his daughter, Cookie Champion, runs the day-to-day operations of the store, and his wife of 62 years is the business manager.
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