By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

Norris Gregory’s posted letters and articles on his pharmacy windows at Rancho Shopping Center indicate the business owner, who has run Gregory’s since 1957, feels forced out of his lease. But others tell a different story.

Gregory displayed articles dating from 1999 detailing expansion plans by Andronico’s Market. The Los Altos Planning Commission had given Andronico’s the OK to expand into the Gregory’s Pharmacy space. Norris and Lorraine Gregory had indicated plans to retire, but did not do so.

Andronico’s since has canceled expansion plans, but Gregory apparently felt pressured to end his lease sooner than his June 30 end date. Gregory could not be reached for comment last week.

Gregory’s lease in the Rancho Shopping Center will expire July 1, but he closed the store May 31 and sold his customer’s prescription list to Albertson’s SavOn Drug. He has said he will vacate the premises June 30.

In the meantime, articles from the Palo Alto Daily News, Town Crier and San Jose Mercury News recall the 1999 Andronico’s plans and include handwritten comments about the stories by Gregory.

Included in the posted material is an April letter from Rancho owner John Vidovich, who expressed regret that Gregory felt pressured to leave.

“I could not help but notice the windows of the newly closed Gregory’s Pharmacy and the signs where Mr. Gregory purports that he was forced to close his store and blames the owners of Rancho Shopping Center for his going out of business,” said Steve Liebes, representative for Andronico’s markets. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Over the last three years, Liebes was asked by Vidovich, owner of De Anza Properties, to work with Gregory, offering him the opportunity to close the Rancho store and terminate his lease without any further monetary obligation. Two present Rancho business owners said it’s sad to see the Gregory’s leaving with bitterness toward the shopping center’s management.

“It’s time they retired,” said one of the Gregory’s business neighbors, “He should go back to his vineyard, but before they leave the center, we will throw a large party for them. Can you believe all that time in business here?”