Adding to the ever-expanding retail options in Niverville, Red River Co-op Pharmacy will be among the next wave of businesses to open its doors in the community. Opening in mid- to late-summer of this year, the standalone pharmacy will be located at the Niverville Heritage Centre next to the dental office at 101 Second Avenue South.
“We have reached a lease agreement with the Heritage Centre and have finalized the store layout,” says Todd McNaughton, Pharmacy Operations Manager for Red River Co-op. “We will be sending out the project to tender in the next number of weeks.”
The 1,500-square-foot store will offer all the traditional pharmacy services, including professional counselling on medications and blister packs, flu shots, and shingles vaccinations. A blood pressure testing machine will be located in-house for clients to use.
As well, customers can expect a full range of over-the-counter products such as confectionary items and health products like braces, crutches, walking canes, walkers, and compression stockings.
“We intend to be open seven days a week to meet the needs of the community and will provide delivery services as well,” McNaughton says.
Until recently, Red River Co-op was a name that was synonymous only with gas bars around Manitoba. In 2014, the cooperative branched into grocery sales with the acquisition of a number of Safeway locations around Winnipeg.
Operating now as Red River Co-op Food Stores, the company naturally progressed into the pharmaceutical business, as each of their acquired grocery stores had pre-existing pharmacies. The Red River Co-op Pharmacy in Niverville will be the company’s second standalone location in Manitoba. The other is located at 1425 Main Street in Winnipeg.
McNaughton is responsible for oversight of operations for their soon-to-be five pharmacies. His other job is to look for new opportunities and communities to expand into. He’s thrilled over the prospect of a Niverville location and feels that the store will have something unique to offer the growing community.
“Our pharmacy will be an aesthetically appealing, modern facility,” McNaughton says.
He adds that the location was chosen for its proximity to the medical and dental offices as well as the seniors housing, which means seniors living at the complex will have access to the pharmacy without having to leave the building.
“This just seemed a natural fit for us and would complement the existing amenities,” says McNaughton.
And while the pharmacy will be in no way affiliated with Country Snacks and the Red River Co-op gas bar on Main Street Niverville, Co-op members will enjoy the same benefits.
“If you are already a Red River Co-op member or sign up to become one, you will be able to use this same [member] number at our pharmacy and enjoy the benefits of our Co-op Equity/Cash Back program on the full price of prescriptions and all purchases in the pharmacy,” adds McNaughton. “As we are a truly local company with deep roots in communities, we are very excited to be coming to Niverville and expanding our offering in the community.”
McNaughton says that, as the pharmacy develops and expands, Red River Co-op will likely be in a position to provide some employment opportunities to the local community down the road.