Diana Stricker Photo
Wendi, Rita, Karen Ragonese (owner), Mary, Jan, Joan and Pat.
Branford’s Towne Pharmacy is not only doubling in size. It’s doing so in tough economic times when few independent pharmacies have survived.
“It is exciting. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Karen Ragonese, the owner and chief pharmacist.
Towne Pharmacy, located across from the Town Green at 1012 Main St., was founded in 1966 by Ragonese’s father, William Ward, and his partner, Al Carloni. It’s one of the longest-running businesses on Branford’s Main Street.
“My family has owned it more than 40 years,” Ragonese says with pride. “I’ve been running it for 15 years, and I’ve worked here 27 years as a pharmacist. I have a lot of customer loyalty.”
Construction and renovations have been underway over the last several months, doubling the size of the business to about 4,000 square feet. The new store is expected to open this week. Her family owns the adjacent site and previously rented it to a children’s clothing store, which went out of business.
In addition to fulfilling her dream of enlarging the store and its services, Ragonese says the expansion will meet the needs of an aging population.
The expansion will allow the store to offer a full line of durable medical equipment, such as wheel chairs and walkers. Other new product lines are also being added, such as giftware and items that appeal to younger clients.
“It’s giving back to the community,” Ragonese says. “I’m not just here to make money, I could have sold out long ago and not had to work this hard. My customers are loyal to me and I’m trying to be loyal to them.”
Ragonese began planning the expansion project in February 2008. “When I started this, the economy was not in the state it is now,” she recalls.
She keeps an eye on trends in the community, and has seen an upsurge in senior housing projects. The 17-unit Rosenthal Gardens senior complex on Kirkham Street was completed in 2008, with the prediction of more projects throughout town. An agreement was reached last summer that will bring 120 senior citizen rental units to Founders Village on Ivy Street, a few blocks from the Green.
“There are a lot of things happening in town I have to be prepared for,” Ragonese says.
She was recently accredited by Medicare to sell durable medical equipment, like walkers, and to bill Medicare for the products. She is also certified to fit compression stockings, and will be certified to sell diabetic shoes. She and the staff work with customers who need items like crutches, back braces or wrist braces to make sure the customer is fitted properly and knows how to use the item. “We don’t just sell it and say see you later,” she says.
She credits the store’s longevity to customer service and a dedicated staff, which includes two additional pharmacists, five technicians and several clerks.
“I have a great staff,” Ragonese says. “Having a good support staff makes a good business.” They are: Wendi Streeto, Rita Zielinski, Mary Miller, Mr.Jan Berry, Joan Puglia, and Pat Kendrick .
Competing with the chain stores is not easy, but she has lived in town all her life and knows the community. “I try not to mimic the chains and I do some things they don’t do,” she says. “It’s the customer service, not just prescriptions.”
She is hoping to broaden her customer base, and get the word out to people who aren’t familiar with the pharmacy. “A lot of people, especially young people, don’t know we’re here. The big box stores are on every corner,” she says. “My goal is to let people know we are here and we are thriving. Come in and see people who will know who you are and what you might need.”
For Ragonese, the pharmacy is like a second home. She began coming to the store Sunday mornings to help her father when she was 9 years old. She remembers the fire in 1976 that destroyed the pharmacy and other buildings. The business carried on at a nearby location until the reconstruction was complete. Her father, who passed away a few years ago, instilled in her a love of community and pharmacy. “This has always been my dream,” she says.
The pharmacy is open Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.- 7:30 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Sundays 9 a.m. ‑1 p.m. Someone is also on call for prescriptions at other times.
“There’s always a person who answers the phone during working hours,’ Ragonese says. “People know they can call us and talk to someone.”
The Towne Pharmacy’s phone number is 203 – 488-1631. Additional information can be found at the pharmacy’s Web site > It, too, will be expanded.
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Diana,
Great article! I love these kind of stories! Now, I will stop in and visit the pharmacy!
Connie