By By Adrienne McKenzie
A hometown pharmacy where medicine can be charged and delivered right to the customer's front door is what Danny Cottrell's employees will offer at the Atmore location of Buy-Rite Drugs, tentatively opening the first week of July.
Cottrell said the store will be the typical independent pharmacy.
"We will have all of the typical over-the-counter items, cough, cold, first aid, snacks, Pepsi products, a dollar section and monthly specials, which will include household items," Cottrell said. "We will also deliver medicine."
The pharmacy will also have a credit system where people can charge their prescriptions and over-the-counter items.
Cottrell said the reason for opening a Buy-Rite in Atmore was for citizens that are accustomed to having the service of an independent pharmacy.
"Buy-Rite has gone into areas where a chain has just bought out a local independent pharmacy," he said. "When we are able to have a pharmacy go into a place like that ,it's good strategy. When people deal with an independent pharmacy they like to keep on dealing with them."
Yet another pharmacy is opening in Atmore, with the grand opening of Walgreens nearing. However, Cottrell feels that Buy-Rite will offer things that the corporate chains in town cannot.
"Walgreens is a tremendous company and they know what they're doing," Cottrell said. "Although we definitely respect what they do, we feel like we'll offer services they do not offer. We'll do what we do best and let the chips fall."
The pharmacy's opening location will be at 116 Medical Park Drive, but will not stay at the old Handy Mart for long.
"We are in here temporarily until we find a new location," Cottrell said. "When we get moved in we will immediately start looking for a new place."
Although Cottrell will not be working at the pharmacy, he said he is happy to have a Buy-Rite in Atmore and that he has high hopes for its future.
"We're excited about being in Atmore," he said. "It's a good town with a lot of good doctors and good facilities. We hope Atmore will be as proud to have us that we are to be here."
For more information, visit www.buyritedrugstores.com.