In this day and age when bigger is too often equated with better, and there is less and less of individualized, caring service, it is refreshing to learn of at least one local, independent and family owned business that is not only succeeding, but recently expanded its space and services.
Towne Pharmacy at 1012 Main St. in Branford is a combination of a longtime family owned business offering old-fashioned personalized help in a completely modern setting with a wide range of up-to-date, competitively priced products.
I spoke with Karen Rangonese, the charming owner/pharmacist who along with her husband, Vince, and three other pharmacists, runs the store. Formerly a Rexall drug store, it was bought by Karen’s father, William Ward, in 1965.
At first, Karen’s father had a partner, Al Carloni, but when the store, along with a rash of other small stores in the area, burned in 1976, Al left the business and Karen’s father re-built it. Karen grew up in the business and officially joined as a pharmacist in 1983.
In 1998, there was another devastating fire, this one starting in Castellon’s Bakery on Main Street and quickly spreading to the adjacent stores. Fortunately, there was a firewall between Towne Pharmacy and the Horowitz department store so the drug store was saved; however, at the time, Karen seeing the smoke and flames, raced to throw prescription drugs into her car in an effort to save what she could.
She recalls trying desperately to reach husband Vince (in the days before no cell phones) who was at home and had tied up the one phone line as he was surfing the Internet ... completely innocent of what had occurred until his wife stormed into the house, furious that she had not been able to contact him.
Vince, an aerospace engineer whose flashing dark eyes and good looks betray his Sicilian heritage, left his other work after 30 years to recently join Karen in the business where he has taken on the job of expanding their impressive durable medical supply department.
Here one can find bath equipment supplies, walkers and wheeled walkers with seats, transport and regular wheelchairs — some, in new and interesting colors.
The staff is trained in the fitting of therapeutic shoes and compression stockings. Individual and helpful service is offered whether you are choosing a simple elastic bandage or are in need of specific diabetic supplies. The store has also introduced several unusual giftware items, including switch flops, hobo bags, candles, glassware and Bewitching bath and body products. And completing the family circle, their talented daughter, Melissa, travels down from her work in Boston to do the interesting window displays.
Towne Pharmacy is now part of the Health Mart network of individually owned and operated drug stores, a connection which affords the members buying power with pharmaceutical companies so their prices are competitive or lower than chain stores. Karen also points out that in addition to being able to handle the voluminous paperwork involved in insurance billing, they offer free delivery service.
Contact Jean Cherni, founder of the retirement advisory service, Senior Living Solutions, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.
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