By Whitney Keith
Family Pharmacy opened in the new Roberts Centre in Ava just last month, bringing another option to those looking to fill prescriptions, buy gifts or learn more about their health.
The Family Pharmacy chain started in 1977 with the flagship store in Ozark, Mo. The group has now grown to have over 20 pharmacies in southern Missouri.
Family Pharmacy recently opened a location in Ava in the new Roberts Centre. The Family Pharmacy chain has 20 stores, all in southern Missouri.
“It’s built upon a unique system,” said Brian Bingham, marketing director. “It’s locally owned, but has multiple stores.”
The group will add two more stores by the end of the year.
Bingham said they like to add stores in clusters, so they will be looking at other locations near Ava in the future.
B.J. Roberts is the regional manager, and she said by clustering the stores, the stores can share inventory and employees.
The group has its own drug supply warehouse, so it can offer competitive pricing, Bingham said.
The local store carries a selection of CPAP and BPAP machines, along with hospital beds, home oxygen supplies and lift chairs.
For those needing prescriptions, the pharmacy offers free delivery and free mail-out.
The store also offers a True-Care Elite card, which entitles customers to select generic medicines for special prices – $3.99 for a 30
-day supply, $7.99 for a 60-day supply and $9.99 for the 90-day supply.
The store also offers 35mm film development at their central photo location in Nixa, along with instant digital prints in the store, photo gifts and photo restoration.
The store also has a wellness center, offering a selection of natural, holistic products.
Jennifer Ronchetti is the wellness director, and she is available for consultations in the stores.
Across the chain, the group has 350 employees.
The Ava location currently has seven employees, along with Roberts.
Family Pharmacy of Ava staff includes, from left: Cindy Thomas (pharmacy technician), Gary Potts (staff pharmacist), Laura Hastings (cashier) and B.J. Roberts (regional manager). Staff not pictured includes: John Pilz (pharmacist), Grace Snell (pharmacy technician), Valerie Heier (pharmacy technician), Vicki Burnett (cashier) and Darlene Davis (cashier)
John Pilz is the pharmacist manager, Gary Potts is a staff pharmacist, Cindy Thomas, Grace Snell and Valerie Heier are pharmacy technicians, Laura Hastings, Vicki Burnett and Darlene Davis are cashiers.
Family Pharmacy recently opened a location in Ava in the new Roberts Centre. The Family Pharmacy chain has 20 stores, all in southern Missouri.
