At Hartig Drug, our customers are the reason we do what we do - and our employees are how we make it happen. They’re the heart that keeps Hartig beating, and we’re grateful for their dedication every day. Today, we’re proud to introduce Christopher Engaldo, a Shift Supervisor at our Savanna, Illinois location, as one of our Hearts of Hartig. 

Chris began his journey at Hartig Drug in December 2021. As a lifelong Savanna resident with more than 20 years of customer service experience, he was looking for an opportunity that aligned with both his background and his desire to remain rooted in the community he calls home. Hartig Drug was a natural fit — and the five-minute commute certainly didn’t hurt.

There is something special about Savanna. Nestled along the scenic Mississippi River and surrounded by a beautiful state park and several campgrounds, the town comes alive in the summer months. Year-round, Chris is a familiar face in the store, serving everyday customers and patients, as well as welcoming seasonal visitors.

What makes working in Savanna unique, Chris says, is the connection to the community. Knowing many customers by name, being part of their lives, and watching generations come through the doors creates a sense of purpose that goes beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of placing orders, managing deposits and handling paperwork. It’s the people and the relationships that make every day different.

Chris also values being part of a family-owned business where leadership is always willing to step in and help. When Savanna was without a permanent pharmacist for several months, Hartig’s CEO, who is also a pharmacist, stepped in to support the community. Chris said, “Charlie Hartig came in and didn’t feel like a CEO, but a part of the family, and fit right in with our community.” Moments like that are what makes Hartig stand above the rest.

And sometimes, those memorable moments come in unexpected ways. Once, when helping fit a customer for an ankle brace, while down on one knee, he received a marriage proposal he definitely wasn’t expecting. While he politely declined, it’s moments like those that bring humor and joy to the job.

When Chris is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and staying involved in the community, watching his children participate in sports, fishing and collecting Pokeman cards.