By Joe Bachman
Editor

PLOVER — After news broke last week regarding Hometown Pharmacy moving into the old Robin’s Nest location, it has been confirmed that they will also have a Plover location on the old site of Big Apple Bagels.

Much like the Stevens Point location, Hometown Pharmacy will have the former Pharmacy Manager at the Plover Shopko head up operations. His name is Kent Udulutch, and he has been a practicing pharmacist since 1990. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy in 1989, and has been living in the Stevens Point/Plover area for 11 years. He has a wife, Julie, who is also a pharmacist in the area. They have four adult children.

“It was a sad time for our customers and employees.” said Udulutch in an interview with the Gazette regarding the recent closure announcement of Shopko. However, with so many customers potentially going without the service of their choice, Udulutch soon had a pharmaceutical epiphany.

“When I stopped to consider the pharmacy services available in Plover, I concluded that the area was soon to be very under served,” said Udulutch. “After speaking with Dan Strauss of Hometown Pharmacy it became clear that we both had a similar vision of a new pharmacy in Plover.”

Udulutch feels that the new location at 1600 American Dr., (the former Big Apple Bagels) is a good fit for former Shopko customers.

“The building is a good size for a stand-alone pharmacy,” said Udulutch. “This location will also allow us excellent visibility, plenty of parking, and provide for a pharmacy drive thru.”

In addition to their full-service pharmacy, Hometown will provide over-the-counter medications, nutraceuticals, supplements, immunizations, educational materials, and gifts. They will accept most insurances. While some remodeling will be necessary for the new location, it won’t hold up an estimated opening date of the middle of March.

According to Udulutch, he, and Hometown Pharmacy, will take a holistic approach to their craft.

“Hometown focuses on people and their overall health, not just prescription volume and numbers,” said Udulutch. “We look for ways to minimize the use of unnecessary medication through education, lifestyle changes, and nutrition.  The major theme of Hometown is proactive health.  We want to keep our customers healthy to minimize the need for medications.

When this is not possible, we will help our customer manage their medications for the best possible outcomes.  Hometown offers and environment which will allow my staff and I to provide exceptional customer service.”

In addition, prescriptions will be able to transfer between locations and can be ordered via website or app. For more information, visit hometownpharmacywi.com