The word "Apothecary" is evocative.  It conjures images of amber glass bottles and jars full of mysterious treasures...  attar of rose, and syrup of violet, perhaps a tisane for Aunt Ethyl's rheumatism.  It is with great sadness that we lose this word, and its depth of connotation, as we change our name. 

Unfortunately the State of Pennsylvania believes that the word "Apothecary" conjures images of sterile pills in orange plastic containers.  The belief is that by using the word Apothecary we will some how lure you, the consumer, into the belief that we have been trained in allopathic pharmaceutical practices.  How we wish this little detail had been mentioned when we registered our name with the state or the city!  Instead we found out when Bethany visited a downtown bar that used to be called The Apothecary Bar but now must be APO due to this silly law.  Yes, I'm a little bitter.  Loss of language, whether through attrition or regulation, is maddening to me.  But energy is not an endless commodity and fighting this is not a good place to spend mine.

Luckily our language is living and flexible.  It allows for the invention of new words such as "Herbiary."  What is an Herbiary, you ask?  It is like a Beastiary, but for medicinal plants.  It has the whimsey of topiary and the happy buzz of apiary.  As an added benefit, the website was available.  And for a final bit of happiness, I got to work with our fabulous designer, Suzanne Guelli, to create a new logo.  Isn't it lovely?

So come by and visit us, at the original location in Chestnut Hill or the new shop in Reading Terminal Market.  Nothings changed but our name!