LIVING HISTORY
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Lily Lane and Flamevine Lane and since Orchid Island didn’t
have a beachside pharmacy to serve the island residents, he
thought a drugstore would be a good fit.
DREAM COMES TRUE
Gryder contacted the Florida Board of Pharmacy and was
referred to the newly licensed Corey, who jumped at the
chance to move south. His wife, Callie, protested but was
soon packing up the family to move to Vero Beach, a place
they had never even heard of before. He worked as the
proprietor and pharmacist at the corner store that was named
Cypress Center Pharmacy in the early days. Later, the couple
bought the building and changed the name to Corey’s Pharmacy
and it has remained under the same family ownership
ever since.
“I was only 6 when we moved to Vero Beach,” said Judyth
Dawson, daughter of Luke Corey. “I started working at the
store immediately and earned a nickel an hour. Everyone
who came in was a character back in those days. We got to
know the regulars like the McWilliams and Corrigans and
Sextons, but some of the tourists were famous. We didn’t
know and they were just down to earth like the rest of us.
“I remember when I was studying government in the fifth
grade I struck up a conversation with a visitor to the soda
fountain by the name of Frank Kniffen,” Dawson continued.
“It turned out he was a federal Court of Appeals judge and in
the House of Representatives. He was also a special adviser
to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman. Believe it or not, he
actually visited my class at Beachland Elementary and gave a
talk on government.
“Then there was a time when Billy Graham’s family win- >>
ANTHONY INSWASTY
Dr. Mark Frankenberger, grandson of the original owners, is the operating
owner/pharmacist of Corey’s.
ANTHONY INSWASTY
Corey’s Pharmacy has kept up with the times and now offers an eclectic selection of sundries and gifts for tourists and residents alike.