Tag Archives: Russ Levine

Unsung Hero #379

Posted on April 23, 2025 | 21 comments

Russ Levine has been an Unsung Hero before.

But that was nearly 3 years ago. It’s time for an encore.

Francoise Jaffe nominates the longtime Colonial Druggist owner —  and she’s right.

Francoise says: “I think of him as an inspiration. He is still working past 90, still whistling, still greeting every customer with warmth and humor.

“He has also helped us out countless times dealing with running out of meds, not being able to reach a physician, trying to solve insurance issues not to delay us too much, helping my French family when they were here and needed assistance, and on and on.

“He is a fixture in town, with a personalized, warm and helpful connection. I always hang up after talking to him with a smile on my face.”

Russ Levine, at his familiar spot. (Photo/John Karrel)

Thank you, Russ Levine — the man behind one of the last 2 non-chain pharmacies in Westport — for all you do, for all of us.

You’ve done it for many decades, starting in Colonial Green. (You kept the name, after moving to the Fresh Market Plaza).

Here’s to many more years, making us smile thanks to yours.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Posted in Local business, Unsung Heroes

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Unsung Hero #258

Posted on October 12, 2022 | 16 comments

Nearly 10 years ago — back in the pre-Unsung Hero days — I posted a story about Colonial Druggist and its wonderful owner, Russ Levine.

At that point, he and his ever-alert, always-helpful, constantly-go-the-extra-mile staff had been serving grateful customers for decades. They started in Colonial Green, then moved to the plaza near Fresh Market (and kept the name).

They’re still doing it. And Russ is still at the helm.

Alert “06880” reader John Karrel thinks it’s time to revisit Colonial Druggist — this time for an Unsung Hero award.

I couldn’t agree more.

Russ Levine, at his familiar spot. (Photo/John Karrel)

John writes:

“With the world ever more complex in 2022, there’s no let-up in Russell’s patience, the depth of his knowledge, his ceaseless good cheer and humor (not to mention his natty suspenders).

“Recently, I went in and asked if he could point me toward ear drops. ‘That depends,’ he said. After a dramatic pause: ‘Left ear or right ear?’”

“He and his superb staff seem to handle any kind of inquiry, whether face to face at the counter, or by phone (based on some conversations of which I hear one end).

“When I asked a long-time Westport friend her opinion of Colonial, she said, “‘The best pharmacy in the world.’”

No one who has walked in Colonial’s front door would disagree. So thank you, Russ and all your staff. You are true Unsung Heroes.

Here’s to many more years of helping whatever ails all of us. You never turn a deaf ear.

Left or right.

(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com.)

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

 

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Posted in Local business, Unsung Heroes

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Selling Drugs — And Giving Away Kindness

Posted on July 24, 2013 | 28 comments

Today’s awesome customer service story comes courtesy of alert “06880” reader Jo Shields.

Recently, her 95-year-old friend Alden Sherman had vascular surgery. He’d already picked up 2 pairs of the necessary compression stockings, and was about to pull them on.

Then he saw a note from the surgeon. He’d bought a compression rating far too high. It was 8 p.m. — on a Friday.

Very worried, he called Jo. Could she ask Colonial Druggists for the right ones?

She called, not expecting much.

The ever-smiling, always-helpful Russ Levine.

The ever-smiling, always-helpful Russ Levine.

“Wonder of wonders, that beacon of helpful kindness, Russ Levine, picked up the phone,” Jo says.

Yes, he said — come on down. I’ll help.

It took a while for Jo to explain exactly which parts of his leg Alden needed to measure. Russ was unconcerned. He gave Jo all the sizes, and said, “just bring back what doesn’t fit.”

Stunned by his generosity, Jo chatted awhile. Russ talked about raising his family in Weston (most of his kids and grandchildren still live there). He told Jo that he planned to go sailing the next day — Saturday — and said she’d caught him catching up on paperwork after hours.

So the next day, when Jo returned with the unneeded compression stockings, she was surprised to see Russ in the parking lot. What about the sailing?

“Well, the weather wasn’t that great,” he replied, smiling. Besides, he added,
“there’s always work to do.”

Jo could not thank Russ enough.

Thousands of equally grateful customers — over many years — no doubt have their own Russ Levine-and-Colonial Druggists stories too. Click “Comments” to share yours.

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Posted in Local business, People

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