by Lizze Slocum
There’s a new pharmacy in Altadena and, unlike most new businesses, it can boast a history as a neighborhood institution. This past year has seen the rebirth of Webster’s Pharmacy, as Webster’s Community Pharmacy.
Pictured: Meredith and Michael Miller
The only fresher face will be Webster’s Community Pharmacy after the store gets the face lift that its owners have planned for early next year. Pharmacist Michael Miller and his wife, Meredith, bought Webster’s in December of 2010. Previously, the Millers had owned several pharmacies, including South Pasadena’s Fair Oaks Pharmacy, which they transformed into the vital business it is today during the eighteen years that they owned it.
In Altadena, at Webster’s, the post office will stay in place, and next-door Webster’s Liquors will remain adjacent. No walls will be going up or coming down. Also unchanged is Webster’s heavy emphasis on customer service, so important to the Millers. They have already reinvigorated the store’s gifts department, and stock is growing and expanding “as we learn more about our customers,” according to Meredith Miller. Selling well are bath and body products from makers like Crabtree and Evelyn as well as Caswell Massey. Those who have shopped at the Fair Oaks Pharmacy will recognize a thoughtfully considered section of classic toys and games for sale.
Webster’s Community Pharmacy has also quadrupled its candy section, which includes “retro” candies that make perfect stocking stuffers for kids and adults alike. The store’s newly large selection of greeting cards is part of the endeavor to bring in what people need and actually miss from having the Hallmark store on the block, such as calendars. Fun “retro” gifts are joined on the shelves by on-trend fashion accessories such as purses, scarves and jewelry. The jewelry includes some of Meredith’s own creations from her Poker Chip Gal line, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces made from vintage poker chips: http://www.pokerchipgirl.com
New Pharmacy Services
At its heart, though, the business is a pharmacy, and new pharmacy services available to the community are slated to include flu shots and other walk-in vaccinations. Webster’s Community Pharmacy now accepts most insurance, offers delivery service and sells and rents medical and home health care supplies. Webster’s has also just installed a full-service, state-of-the-art dispensing system to process prescriptions. The automated system’s accuracy and efficiency frees up time for the pharmacist to consult and talk with the patients and customers.
Open House
Today, Nov. 19, Webster’s will host a very special Holiday Open House, and the entire community is invited. Between 2 pm and 7 pm that day, there will be prize drawings, refreshments,discounts on specially selected items, and egg nog at Webster’s Liquors. Read the Open House details at http://websterscommunitypharmacy.wordpress.com
Food Trucks!
Webster’s Community Pharmacy has already made headlines for something that represents a complete change from what everybody used to know Webster’s Pharmacy as: Friday night fancy food trucks. The Millers have just renewed a food truck permit with Los Angeles County, good through the end of 2012. Once a month, on the second Friday and weather permitting, the trucks will roll into the parking lot. Webster’s partner The Rolling Bistros will bring in six food trucks, which will rotate; sponsor Danny’s Farm also brings its mobile petting zoo to Webster’s parking lot on Lake Avenue. (In January, February and March, 2012, the food trucks event will be dark for the winter season.) For these occasions, Webster’s sets up tables and chairs in the main part of the parking lot.
“The benefit,” says Meredith, “is more about community building than it is about dollar building. We’re in it just to have fun and to provide a community event. I just love seeing everyone having a good time.” The Friday night events have been drawing mostly people from Altadena, whether they are young food truck followers or older people coming with their grandchildren who otherwise might not give such eateries a try.
"We’re enjoying being up here, and we’re excited to get to know people,” says Meredith.
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Lizze Slocum keeps busy as a writer, editor, and mom.
