Oral History Spotlight: The Legacy of Stuart Kiel and Kiel’s Pharmacy
As part of the Many Voices of Montclair Oral History Project, created by the Montclair History Center in honor of the town’s 150th anniversary, residents who lived in Montclair prior to 1960 shared their personal experiences of life in the town’s many neighborhoods. These interviews offer a diverse firsthand look at Montclair in the early to mid-20th century.
Among those voices is the beloved Stuart Keil, born in 1938, whose reflections speak to the perseverance and enduring contributions of Montclair’s Jewish community. His family’s longtime business, Keil’s Pharmacy, served the Upper Montclair community for over 80 years from 1933 until its closure in 2016.
“Stuart Keil’s quiet perseverance, even in a time of ‘omission,’ speaks volumes,” writes Eliot Ravenheart on Facebook in a recent Montclair History Center post honoring Stuart. “Stories like his remind us that memory doesn’t always shout: Sometimes, it stands behind a counter, steady and kind, shaping a town for generations.”
Stuart’s grandparents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920s, changing their surname from Kuchen to Keil aboard the ship that brought them to a new life. Name changes like this were a common way for Jewish immigrants to assimilate into the United States and avoid anti-semitism.
Keil’s Pharmacy: A Hub for Care and Community
Stuart’s parents would eventually settle in Upper Montclair, where they opened Keil’s Pharmacy on Valley Road. Stuart later joined the business alongside his wife Mona and their son, continuing a family tradition of service. Because Stuart grew up during WWII, he saw firsthand how wartime rationing affected small businesses. His father’s reputation for kindness and his trusted relationships with suppliers kept the pharmacy going, and Stuart never forgot those early lessons in resilience and service. The pharmacy was more than just another business: it was a welcoming community hub.
Another nostalgic Montclair resident, Marcia McCotter, writes on Facebook,“I grew up in Montclair near Keil's, so it's always been a part of my life. I remember Stuart's dad, and I remember the soda fountain. We kids would always stop there on our way home from Bradford School if we had some money for candy.”
Growing Up Jewish in Post-WWII Montclair
Montclair in the 1940s and 50s was predominantly white and Protestant. Stuart recalls that it was “a time of omission. You didn’t reveal the things that made you different.” As a Jew, he realized that his father had limited options for employment, leading his father and eventually himself to pharmaceuticals. During this time, he recalled that there were only a few golf courses that admitted Jews. The quiet erasure of Jewish identity shaped his early understanding of belonging. He only learned about the Holocaust after the war had ended.
Stuart witnessed the town transform with the end of "separate but equal" and the advent of the magnet school system, leading Montclair to become a more liberal community. He takes pride in Montclair’s willingness to evolve: “The town’s commitment to growth, equity and dialogue is a strong source of pride.”
Stuart’s Enduring Montclair Service and Pride
In 2016, Keil’s Pharmacy closed its doors after more than eight decades. Like many independent pharmacies, it faced increasing pressures from mail-order services and large chains. Low insurance company reimbursements also hurt the industry. “You and your family and the wonderful, warm and inviting way you conducted business were one of my favorite things about living in Montclair,” Paula Mailandi wrote to Stuart on Facebook. “From prescriptions to bus info and so many other things, your pharmacy was a place I felt welcomed and helped.”
Now retired and living in West Orange, still an active member of the Rotary Club after 33 years, Stuart remains proud of his role in Montclair’s history. He is proud to have been part of the fabric of Montclair, helping to make it a better, livable, enjoyable town.
“Montclair has always been a wonderful place to live and have a business,” says Stuart. “My age dictated my retirement, but my memories of 80 years of association with Montclair only grows in admiration as I grow older.”
As we reflect on Jewish American Heritage Month, we are reminded of the importance of elevating stories like Stuart’s: stories that live not only in oral histories but in the hearts of those who were part of them. Stuart’s life story is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and quiet contribution.
“Thanks to all the friends and customers who contributed to my positive outlook on life,” says Stuart. “Mona and I are both blessed with good health and enjoy being grandparents and great-grandparents.”
Listen to Stuart's oral history and learn more about his life here: https://www.montclairhistory.org/oral-history-150…
Written by Jackie Dorey, MHC Volunteer
Thank you to Stuart Keil, Eliot Ravenheart, Marcia McCotter, and Paula Mailandi for sharing their memories that are quoted in this piece.