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Published on 03/01/1999 All articles from this issue

Pharmacist Sam Kahn builds business, community activities

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Voice of the Past

Sam Kahn worked hard to win the trust of Los Altos townspeople as their pharmacist at Kahn's Corner Pharmacy. Eventually he, and his wife, Annette, not only earned that trust, but became civic leaders. They saw the rapid growth here after World War II and many changes to Los Altos. Sam Kahn was interviewed in 1992 by Margaret Thompson and Pinkie Whelan. He died at his home on Marvin Avenue in Los Altos in July 1997.

I built the building where Kahn's Corner Pharmacy is now, on Third and Main streets. It was in about 1949. There were just about 2,500 people here then. I bought the land from Sargeant. They had the barber shop and a dress store on Main Street. I was lucky to get the place because property in town became in demand after the War. In the early '50s, a lot of military people came through here after being in the Pacific. They figured it was pretty nice, so they came back here to live.

When I arrived in 1939, I missed living in San Francisco. I never thought it was possible to love a place more than San Francisco, but I did come to love it here. The blossoms were beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the people were so friendly.

We became involved in civic things. We put on the Father's Frolic. We raised enough money to get that swimming pool over at Covington School. Many of the outfits at The Costume Bank, in the building on State Street where the county firehouse used to be, are from those old shows. The Assistance League bought them back in the '60s. We were happy to have them saved. We had a lot of fun in those shows. I sure did love to sing then. I still go to Rotary. I've stayed active in that. (Kahn was Los Altos Rotary Man-of-the-Year in 1979.)

I have two sons. Mel was born in San Francisco. Bruce was born here in Palo Alto at Stanford. Mel owns the store at Main and Third now. My son, Bruce lives in Ohio. I tried to get him interested in pharmacy, but he sure was allergic to chemistry.

There is a painting on the wall at Third and Main of me and Mel. The sign we are hanging says, "Family owned since 1939." Mel doesn't work there anymore, but he is involved with the business.

As the pharmacist, I really got to know people. I just recently retired. It was the computer that convinced me. I have one eye that's very poor, so I couldn't guess on prescriptions.

So that's about all I can say. I never thought I would enjoy talking about all this, but I really did. I looked through my pictures, but I couldn't find any of me at the store. Sometime, when I get the chance, I'll have some taken.

- Adapted by Donna Shoemaker, courtesy of the Oral History Program of History House of Los Altos.