You Know the Name: Keen's
Editor’s note: This is a regular feature in every issue when we tell you about some of the people behind the famous names around the island.
Since this month marks the 50th anniversary of Avalon’s only pharmacy moving from its original location on 21st Street to the corner of 28th Street and Dune Drive – the site today of Hassis’ Men’s Shop – we thought it might be fun to look back at some of the Keens behind Keen’s Pharmacy.
George Carl Keen was born on a farm in Deerfield Township (Cumberland County) on Aug. 17, 1870, the oldest of 11 children. Since most drugs in his lifetime were derived from plants, his son surmised that his farm life might have contributed to his interest in drugs. Whatever the reason, he enrolled in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the nation’s first. He graduated in 1898 with the highest general average in his class and was awarded a degree of P.D., doctor in pharmacy.
After several years of working in West and South Philadelphia, George moved back across the Delaware in 1922 to Laurel Springs (Camden County), where he opened Keen’s Drug Store. At that time, he was introduced to Grace Wilhelmina Meyrick of Philadelphia by a
Dr. Chester Beasley. They married in 1924. Their first child, George, was born in 1926. Apparently, George had some bronchial issues. For that, the doctor prescribed a move to the seashore for the family so George could breathe in the fresh salt air. A local developer suggested that there might be a need for a druggist in a growing resort community in Cape May County called Avalon. And the rest, as they say … is history.
Perhaps it was his place as the oldest child, but George always cared for his parents. They lived with George for a time, along with his youngest sister, Irene.
Keen’s Drug Store on 21st Street was probably built in 1927. It opened in July 1928. Initially the store was closed for the winter months. The Keens’ second child, Dan, was born in December 1928 in Laurel Springs. It didn’t take long for George’s farming roots to lead to a vegetable garden in Avalon; it came to him naturally. He ended up purchasing the vacant lot next to the store, and part of that, too, became part of his garden.
The summer months brought visits from both sides of the Keen family to Avalon. Irene, who had lived with the Keens for a time, spent a summer working in the store. She would marry Vic Wunder, whose family operated the icehouse at 8th Street and Ocean Drive in Avalon.
“Doc” Keen, as he was known, was a perfect fit with the more affluent summer visitors, yet he also meshed perfectly with the permanent residents. The drugstore was an early-day urgent-care facility, with free medical advice and often free care as well. Folks around town knew they could trust his advice. And for those who were needy, Doc Keen took care of that, too.
Doc Keen was always interested in local government, and although he was unsuccessful in his run for borough commissioner, he was elected to the Avalon Board of Education and would serve as its president. In that position, he had the distinction of drawing regional attention to his drugstore when Avalon Elementary School students staged a walkout and protested in front of his store in support of their teacher who was denied tenure. It was widely reported to be the first case of a protest by elementary school students in the United States.
The 21st Street store was first expanded in the 1940s to add dry goods, sports apparel and beach wear. It expanded again in 1953, and finally in 1965 was separated into two distinct sections: drugs and dry goods. For many years, Keen’s would serve as the go-to store for gifts and family needs. For many years, it would have extended evening shopping hours during the holiday season. Doc Keen passed away in January 1948. At that time, young George, who also attended Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, ran the operation along with his mother until 1953 when Danny, just out of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, joined the operation. Dan would serve as the town’s druggist for 40 years.
There was a time when Avalon’s business district thrived on 21st Street, which was where Avalon Boulevard then came into town. That changed in the late 1960s with the opening of the current bridge on 30th Street. Keen’s Pharmacy was one of the first businesses to shift with the evolutional flow of the business district, moving to a newly completed store on 28th Street and Dune Drive. Keen’s occupied the entire first floor.
Like his father, Dan blended in well with the community. He was elected a borough commissioner in 1959 and was reelected several times. He also held the position of mayor for a period. He was the first treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce and served as president of the Atlantic-Cape May County Pharmaceutical Association.
In their spare time, Dan and George displayed their musical talents in their own combo. They played at various establishments throughout the county, including the Marine Ballroom on the Avalon Pier. George also operated several other retail businesses around town.
Like many businesses, Keen’s Pharmacy was hit particularly hard during the March 1962 storm. There was 2 feet of water in the store, and the front window gave way from the pressure. After the storm, merchandise was found strewn around for blocks, including one merchandise drawer all the way over on 26th Street – with everything still in place!
Dan finally sold the pharmacy in 1993 and the pharmacy closed under new ownership in 1994.
Today, Dan is retired and lives in Florida.
Although it has been more than a quarter century since its doors were closed for good, the name Keen’s Pharmacy is still a familiar one on the Seven Mile Beach thanks to George and Dan Keen – the people behind the name.