HIRONS

Hirons has been in existence since the early 1930's. Jack Hirons, a local pharmacist, started a business called Pennywise Drug and located it on Broadway, between Oak and Pearl, downtown. He moved it to 986 Willamette Street, across from what is now the Downtown Athletic Club in the 1940's. Relatives (Sred and Evie Malkasian), friends, and other Eugeneans all worked in the store on Willamette St until in the 1960's, Jack moved it to the current location at 185 E 18th. In 1966, Jack and Esther boarded a West Coast Airlines flight out of Eugene that crashed on the way to Portland. In the midst of this tragedy, John Hirons stepped in to lead Hirons as Larry was in medical school, training to become a family physician. (He's still practicing!) Phyllis entered the picture when she married John and gradually took over the buying of much of the everyday and holiday giftware. Steve (son of John and Phyllis) joined the business in 1992 and Hirons has continued to succeed as a Eugene institution! We're glad to be a part of this community and value your efforts to support a locally owned business!