Prescription Shoppe remodel aids in expanded services
Twenty-one years ago, The Prescription Shoppe in Monticello moved to its current location at 304 E. First St. in downtown Monticello. All these years later, it was time for a remodel.
On Oct. 17, the Monticello Chamber Ambassadors stopped into The Prescription Shoppe to check out the completed work and hear about the new services offered locally.
Owner Linda Nightingale and Manager Pam Thompson were on hand to visit with the ambassadors.
The Prescription Shoppe has been in business for 27 years. It was previously located in the basement of the MercyCare Clinic on S. Main Street.
“We had a good operation on Main Street, but this (location) allows us to serve more people,” said Thompson. “We’re more accessible to everybody.”
Realizing the need for more space, renovations began in March on the 40-by-50-foot space. Throughout all of the interior changes, The Prescription Shoppe never shut down its business; simply worked around the construction to continue to serve its customers.
“They totally gutted everything,” Thompson said.
The pharmacy inside was moved across the room. A wall was torn down to open the space up for merchandise and OTC (over the counter items).
During the renovations, a temporary wall was built to help keep dust out of the pharmacy area, and for security.
“We were experiencing growing pains,” said Thompson of needing more room. “We were running into each other, and we were running out of space for our prescription services.”
The additional room they gained was initially used for storage the last few years. The pharmacy area was able to grow by 10 feet.
“We opened everything up and expanded our work area,” said Thompson.
With more space and additional services, The Prescription Shoppe was able to add two technicians and a support person.
Those new and continued services include medication therapy management, immunizations, patient medication packaging, expanded OTC, diabetic show fittings, assistance with Medicare Part D, and nursing home prescriptions.
There is now a private counseling room used for many of these services.
“Medicare Part D enrollment can be a complicated process,” hinted Nightingale. “We break down the plans so you can choose the plan that best suits you.”
For the medication packaging, customers receive a blister pack that is tamper-proof. It contains a month’s supply of all their medications, as well as instructions and side effects for each.
“It’s beneficial for people who have a hard time managing their medications or taking them,” explained Thompson. “They may need a little extra help.”
The medication therapy offers one-on-one conversations about a patient’s medications, side effects, drug interaction, generic brand options, etc. Thompson said The Prescription Shoppe works closely with people’s doctors to determine the best treatment for certain conditions, especially if the patient is taking multiple medications.
“We keep everyone in the loop,” said Thompson. “You could go to one pharmacy and manage all of your medications appropriately.”
Aside from filling customers’ prescriptions, The Prescription Shoppe can also special order anything they don’t already have in stock.
Thompson said appointments for many of their special services not necessarily required. She does urge customers to call ahead, though to ensure someone is there to assist them.
In addition to Monticello, there are prescription shops under the same umbrella in Anamosa, Wyoming, Dyersville, Guttenberg, Dubuque and Postville. With the main site in Dyersville, The Prescription Shoppe in Monticello was Nightingale’s second location.
While the work took longer than anticipated, everyone is pleased with the final look, not to mention the increased space.
The local contractors who worked on the project include Monticello Carpet & Interiors and (Robert) Claussen Painting. The general contractor was Brian Osterhaus Constrcution in Dyersville, someone Nightingale has worked with several times in the past.
“I’m just so thankful for the staff here,” Nightingale praised of her six employees in Monticello. “They are a wonderful, knowledgeable, dedicated staff.”
“We would not be able to do our job without them,” added Thompson.