Central Drugs Offers Incentives to Customers

CENTRAL — The only locally-owned pharmacy in Central is fighting the competion with a new marketing approach.

Central Drug Store, Central’s Business of the Year for the past two years, is offering new customers $10 in gift certificates when they transfer a prescription from another pharmacy to Central Drugs.

So far, the plan is working.

“We’ve had an excellent response,” owner Claud Derbes said Wednesday.  “Many have switched.”

How can a locally-owned pharmacy survive today?  Judges in the Central City News’ Annual Business Awards competition earlier this year reviewed comments from Central Drug Store customers.

The judges said, “Central Drug Store is very competitive on price.  This is unusual for a local pharmacy.  But Central Drug Store was named Business of the Year, because of its true excellence in customer service.  It sets a high bar in the community.”