By Taylor J. Hale

Staff Writer

PLOVER – Hometown Pharmacy celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with Portage County Business Council leaders on Oct. 17.

Kent Udulutch, Hometown co-owner, was presented with a plaque commemorating the pharmacy’s membership with the business council. Udulutch has nearly three decades of pharmaceutical experience and was the previous pharmacy manager at the Stevens Point Shopko until their recent closure earlier this year. He was first licensed as a pharmacist in 1990.

The new pharmacy is located at 1600 American Dr., Plover, in the former Big Apple Bagels space. Udulutch sees the location as an opportunity to serve Plover residents.

“When Shopko closed, Plover was pretty underserved for pharmacies,” Udulutch said.

The full-service pharmacy accepts most major insurances – Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial services.

Udulutch noted that Hometown would help clients with their prescription transfers. “People can just come right in, and we can help them, or they can call,” he explained. “We will call their physician or current pharmacy and take care of the transfers.”

Hometown offers delivery and shipping options for its customers. The store also carries home decor, clothing, and other goods. Udulutch noted that Hometown staff would also offer comprehensive medication reviews and proactive health options.

“Hometown’s focus is more on people,” Udulutch said. “We are ok with decreasing the number of medications people take. We want to do that. We’d rather keep people healthy than keep them on prescriptions.”

Hometown Pharmacy also has a Stevens Point location at 1129 Main Street.