Soda fountain fosters memories of bygone days
By Hillary Gavan
MACHESNEY PARK -- Green river phosphates and chocolate sodas are still frothing in the Stateline Area.
The nostalgic drinks, among other ice-creamy treats, can be found at North Park Pharmacy, 7924 N. Second St. The pharmacy has been in operation for more than 50 years, and is home to an 80-plus-year-old soda fountain. When not dispensing drugs, pharmacist and North Park Pharmacy co-owner Sheila Kitzman of Roscoe, is making malts, ice cream cones and the sodas from antique glass bottles.
She learned her trade from the best -- the late Joyce Isom who worked the counter for around 40 years. Joyce was know for being short and feisty, getting her hair done weekly and wearing a little smock. She never indulged in the goodies, remaining "skinny as a rail."
Her famous chocolate sodas were made from chocolate syrup, carbonated water and scoops of hard serve vanilla ice cream. The green river phosphates were bright green, lime-flavored sodas.
Today, Sheila said grandparents often bring in their grandkids to show them what it's like to grow with up with sodas. The stools usually fill up during the summer and occasionally after school hours in the winter.
Although the pharmacy's freezer went out a couple of years ago, Sheila is still nursing the soda fountain/sink along. Her husband, Scott, said there is only one company out of Chicago that will service it.
North Park Pharmacy's soda machine was manufactured by the Bastian Blessing Company. The company began in 1908 to manufactured soda fountain equipment, according to www.vintagevending.com. The soda fountains had their heyday in the 1940s and 1950s and were found in milk bars, train stations, dime stores, pharmacies and more.
Sheila started working at the soda fountain in high school. She worked on and off at the pharmacy as she studied to be a pharmacist.
"It's always been a family atmosphere. They always let me come back and work," she said.
She noted her bartending experience in college helped her develop the gift of gab. However, her malt-making skills were learned from Joyce. Sheila's dedicated to taking her time and not rushing the malts.
"I like to whip it a long time, it makes it lighter and airy," she said. "When new employees start, I train them on how Joyce did it. It's like passing on family history or recipes."
When she graduated college in 1995 she started work as a pharmacist. At the time David Cerutti and Kathy Zielinksi owned the business. When David Cerutti retired in 2006, Sheila and Tom Zielinski took over.
When she was in college, Sheila thought she would work somewhere bigger and more corporate, but North Park Pharmacy had a job opening for her.
"It was the best decision I ever made," she said.
Today, the business employs 15, including three pharmacists, two delivery drivers two students and technicians. It's one of the few independently owned pharmacies still around. Although the decor is pretty old school, Sheila doesn't have any big plans to change it.
She focuses more on customer service, knowing all the customer names. At the counter she listens to tales about divorces and in-laws, although she said she only gives advice on coughs and colds. When elderly customers have questions about Medicare Part D or what insurance plan to get, she'll talk to them like an old friend.
"They are wonderful and very cooperative. They help you in any way they can," said customer Karen Holmes.
Holmes said her favorite treats are strawberry ice cream cones and green river phosphates.
The counter also features sundaes, coffee and hard-serve butter pecan, chocolate, vanilla, and mint chocolate chip.
For Stateline Business