Newport's Via Lido Drugs rings in the holidays a bit early during open house

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Liz Storm, left, and Sue Binkerd try to remove an ornament from a gold-themed tree Saturday during a holiday open house at Via Lido Drugs in Newport Beach. (Susan Hoffman)

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Via Lido Drugs employee Bobbi McGavran demonstrates how to make an “Ornamentini,” a holiday cocktail, during Saturday’s open house. (Susan Hoffman)

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“Ornamentinis” were a popular attraction during the open house. (Susan Hoffman)

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An old-fashioned tree embellished with red and green decorations was among those featured Saturday. (Susan Hoffman)

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Customer Irene Tubman checks out a gingerbread house during Saturday’s event. (Susan Hoffman)

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Floral designer Danyel Montecinos, who decorated the trees at Via Lido Drugs, demonstrates other floral ideas during Saturday’s open house. (Susan Hoffman)

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Cyndi, right, and Dave Olsen took over Via Lido Drugs from Cyndi’s mother Lilah Stangeland, left, who established the business in 1996 with husband Roger. (Susan Hoffman)

By Susan Hoffman

Nov. 18, 2019 10 AM PT

The holidays came a little early in Newport Beach during a Saturday open house at Via Lido Drugs.

The three-story store at 3445 Via Lido was decked out for a seasonal celebration and filled with everything from themed artificial trees to toys, decorations, gourmet food and even some cozy plaid robes.

By 10:30 a.m., the store was showcasing holiday cheer to shoppers who gathered around an “Ornamentini” demonstration.

Owner Cyndi Olsen said she and two assistants — Darren Calkins and her son, Josh Meili — traveled to national trade shows to buy items for the unique collections.

“We want this place to be your neighborhood pharmacy,” Olsen said. “You’re not a number; you’re a name around here.”

Olsen and her husband, Dave, took over the business in 2004. It was established in 1996 by her parents, Roger and Lilah Stangeland.

“I couldn’t live without this store — everyone is so nice here,” said Newport Beach resident Irene Tupman, a regular customer.

Susan Hoffman is a contributor to Times Community News.

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