BOSTON — A North End staple has closed it's doors.
The Green Cross Pharmacy on iconic Hanover Street has been owned by two brothers since 1964, and on Tuesday, they were open for one last emotional day.
"It's just one of the last old North End businesses left, and it’s very hard," said customer Lorraine Lacolla. "They’ve been so kind and generous and helpful over the years."
Freddy Giangregorio, 80, and Peppi Giangregorio, 82, have been providing customers with more than just prescriptions for the last six decades -- they've also been a go-to for conveniences and souvenirs. But above all, they provided kindness to those who needed it most.
"We did not put money ahead of love and health.. we help everybody," said Peppi. "If they could afford it they would pay us, if they could not afford it, when they could they would pay us. Some paid, some didn’t."
The brothers bought the shop in 1964 after working through school for the previous owner. They had come to America from Italy as kids after their father died in the second World War.
Their struggles gave them compassion.
"It was friendship. And with friendship we became family," said Peppi.
CVS has bought out the company and will take over merchandise and prescriptions.
The store certainly won't be a pharmacy anymore, but the Green Cross name will likely live on.