Counting 'em Down: For better or for worse, this is the Headline Surfer countdown of the 2021's Top 100 biggest news stories of Central Florida along the tourism-driven stretch of Interstate 4 (Orlando Attractions and east to I-95 & the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona). Each recap segment is posted with its own headline, culminating with the unveiling of No. 1 on New Year's Day or shortly thereafter. Then Headline Surfer will post a Top 10 forecast story of the good, the bad & the ugly on the horizon in "2022: The Year That Lies Ahead."
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Crystal Weipert was heartbroken with the news just before Christmas that the Little Drug. Co. on Canal Street was closing its doors for good.
"It’s a shame," Weipert, 37, and a New Smyrna Beach native, told Headline Surfer. "My grandfather ate breakfast there every morning. I remember going there a lot as a child. My mom recalls it being a movie theater when she was younger."
Located in the heart of the city’s historic downtown district, The Little Drug Co. opened a few years after World War I ended. It survived World War II but has not fared well in the pandemic.
"It’s a shame," Crystal Weipert, 37 (shown here with her dog, Howie), and a New Smyrna Beach native, told Headline Surfer she was saddened to hear of Little Drug's announced closing. "My grandfather ate breakfast there every morning. I remember going there a lot as a child. My mom recalls it being a movie theater when she was younger." Located in the heart of the city’s historic downtown district, The Little Drug Co. opened a few years after World War I ended. It survived World War II but has not fared well in the pandemic.
"Little Drug Company regrets to inform our community and family that we have served for just a few months short of 100 years, that we will be permanently closing our doors on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021," Little Drug said in a prepared statement posted in social media on Dec. 22.
Little Drug's statement paid tribute to one of its own:
"We would like to say a very special thank you to David Sikes, as he has given his ENTIRE working career to Little Drug Company! David has been a pharmacist in this community for 50 wonderful years starting at Little Drug Company in 1972! He has served this community for generations of family members and himself an icon to this community."
"We would like to say a very special thank you to David Sikes, as he has given his ENTIRE working career to Little Drug Company! David has been a pharmacist in this community for 50 wonderful years starting at Little Drug Company in 1972! He has served this community for generations of family members and himself an icon to this community."
Reaction among loyal patrons near and far on Facebook to Little Drug's closing was similar to Weipert's: Heartbroken.
After all, where else can one go to a pharmacy to get prescriptions filled, pick out a greeting card, enjoy a burger and fries, and a creamy milkshake at the luncheonette counter?
Karen Clancy wrote: I’m stunned and to be honest feeling quite empty. Thank you, David, Justin, the Sikes family, and everyone through the ages who worked at Little’s for being an integral part of New Smyrna and of my life. I’m in Los Angeles now but know I would be there in a minute otherwise.
Pat Teehan got right to the point, stating: "Sad Day in NSB History. Great People."
Pat Teehan (with this vintage pic on her Facebook page), got right to the point with her reaction to the closing of the Little Drug Co., stating: "Sad Day in NSB History. Great People."
Michael Morris responded to Teehan with, "It's sad to see all these companies that have survived many many years having to close their doors this past year," to which she answered, "It really is."
Audrey Callahan said she's "sorry NSB is losing a wonderful memory of how it used to be many years ago - the iconic old drug store - great memories of a great time long ago. Hate to see you go, but wishing God's blessings on all of you. Praying for a wonderful new beginning for all."
Erica Watkins lamented how so many "amazing local places that have been here forever in this town are closing and it makes me really sad my great-grandpa used to go to little drug all the time when he was a kid and now I bring my daughter there all the time. it will be so sad to tell her."
Geraldine Morgan Clinton of Oak Hill was succinct in echoing the sentiments of hundreds reacting to the sad news of Little Drug's closing: "You will be missed."
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.