THE decision of a long-established family chemist to bid farewell to Alderley Edge was just the tonic for the pharmacist across the road.
When Charles Charnley decided to shut up shop in the village, chemist Jack Yeramian decided to take over the business.
Now Jack, 50, who already owns Cedric's Chemist, on London Road and has taken over the business.
But he has no plans to close either shops because Alderley Edge is 'big enough for both,' he said.
"They sell different products and have different clientele," he explained.
The new Cedric's Health and Beauty Pharmacy will sell 'up-market cosmetics and fragrances' while Cedric's Chemist will continue as a regular pharmacy.
"Both have been very successful and I am sure they will remain so. There is no chance of them closing."
Jack started his first business venture in 1977 with cash from his late father, Cedric.
He named his shops, in Alderley and Heald Green, after his dad.
His wife, Sylvie, 42, has also become involved in the business and son Alex, 16, works for him part time at weekends and during the holidays.
Daughter Christine, 18, occasionally helps him out when not at university studying a pharmacy degree.
"It's very much a family business although we've got quite a lot of staff," added Jack.
"My wife helps me out as do my children, and I hope they will continue the business for generations to come.
"I am delighted to take over and I'm very optimistic about the future.
"It is going to be pretty much the same as before, a case of business as usual.
"I am certainly not worried about competition from supermarkets with their own in-store pharmacies.
"People prefer to walk to their local pharmacy round the corner than get in their car and drive to one which is miles away."
The Charnley family, who still have a chemist in Grove Street, declined to comment on the recent change of ownership.
