After a little more than six years, one of Bridgeport’s newest businesses has called it quits. Ironically, the demise of this particular Main Street business could be good news for another entity located on the other side of the city.

 

Earlier this week, a representative with the Best Care Pharmacy Management Group confirmed that is had ceased operations of its location on the corner of Main and Davis Street. The business, according to city records, began operation on Dec. 10 of 2010.

 

It has just become a very difficult environment for independent pharmacies, particularly as far as margins are concerned,” said James Cava with the Management Group. “Those margins are being compressed, which makes things tough.”

 

Cava, however, wasn’t disappointed with the decision to open up the pharmacy, which was among several that opened under the Best Care banner. As of now, the Best Care Pharmacy in Lumberport is their last store under their control.

 

“I would like to say being in Bridgeport that we couldn’t have asked for a better community to open a business in. We felt welcomed and encouraged by the community to do the best to succeed,” Cava said. “At the end of the day it just came down to it being a tough industry.”

 

Many in the community probably already know of the decision. Signs were posted on the doors of the Best Care of Bridgeport location on Jan. 7 that the location had closed. As part of the announcement, it was listed that prescription files has been transferred to the Community Pharmacy of Bridgeport, which is located on Johnson Avenue in the old Prescription Shop building and has been under new management since opening on June 30 of 2014.

 

“(Best Care Pharmacy of Bridgeport management) approached us about our interest in the business and we ended up acquiring the prescription files,” said Stephen Toompas, RPH, who is one of five individuals that co-owns the pharmacy along with several other independent pharmacies it the region. “We felt that by buying the prescription files of Best Care Pharmacy of Bridgeport that it would best serve our goals of having a successful business by being able to expand our customer base.”

 

Toompas, Randy Williams, Amy Bunch, Chris Mitchell, and T.J. Ravis own the business. Ravis, a Bridgeport High School alum, is the head pharmacist in Bridgeport, said Toompas.

 

“The goal is to provide the special attention that an independent pharmacy can provide for not just the Bridgeport community, but the local vicinity that our Johnson Avenue location can serve,” said Toompas.

 

The transfer has seen a steady stream of customers at the Community Pharmacy building. Toompas said he assures everyone that they can expect high customer service and quality products as the transition period takes place.

 

“We ask everyone to bear with us as this continues, but as we get all the information transferred it will be just as easy for everyone as they’re accustomed to because initially there’s a little more work involved establishing individuals as customers,” said Toompas. “Once that’s done, it’s going to be business as they’re used to.”

 

Many know Toompas for his work at the Town & Country Pharmacy in Stonewood. The group also operates Village Pharmacy in Lost Creek, Salem Colonial Pharmacy, and Michel’s Pharmacy in West Union.

 

The Bridgeport location is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are also open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and offer delivery service all six days. The store is closed on Sunday.

 

Toompas said individuals with questions, concerns or inquiries can call the Bridgeport store. The number is 304-842-3223.

 

So what’s next for the still relatively new building that has housed Best Care Pharmacy on Main Street?

 

“We’ll put it up for lease,” said Cava. “I’m pretty confident we’ll see something there because it’s a nice building in a good location with a high traffic count. We’re aware that there’s not a lot of empty spaces along this stretch of Main Street and it’s a desirable location.

 

“We hope this move will assist our former customers and (Community Pharmacy),” Cava continued. “ … It’s a volume driven business so the addition of new customers to them should be beneficial to everyone.”