A third pharmacy has opened in Port Townsend, challenging the market share of Don’s Pharmacy and Safeway for filling prescriptions.

“If people are satisfied with Don’s Pharmacy or Safeway, they should stay where they are,” said Dave Koehmstedt, the owner of the new Jefferson Family Pharmacy. “If you aren’t, we can supply another alternative.”

He admits that it could take awhile to build a reputation.

All three pharmacists, Koehmstedt, Don Hoglund of Don’s Pharmacy and Safeway pharmacy manager Steven Willden point to customer service as the selling point, believing that good service leads to loyal customers. Don’s Pharmacy is a 50-year-old, multigenerational business.

smallest of three

The Jefferson Family Pharmacy opened on March 13 at 2005 Sims Way, in a space subdivided from the liquor store that has been vacant since October 2012.

Koehmstedt, 59, has managed pharmacies in Kitsap County.

Working part-time is Rey Ganir, 67, who opened Port Hadlock’s Tri-Area Pharmacy in 2012 and sold the business in 2015.

Ganir opened the Tri-Area store in reaction to the long lines at QFC.

Similarly, the long lines at Safeway provided the impetus for the new venture, he said.

“We are an old-time community pharmacy,” Koehmstedt said. “Our priority is to provide great customer service.” Added Ganir, “When you work for a corporation, there is only so much you can do.”

The 1,700-square-foot store is the smallest of Port Townsend’s three pharmacies. In addition to filling prescriptions, it offers health care products and the most popular over-the-counter products.

Both Don’s and Safeway pharmacies are part of larger stores that offer a variety of supplies and goods.

As evidence that Port Townsend can support three pharmacies, Koehmstedt points out that Poulsbo, close in population to Port Townsend, hosts six pharmacies, “and they are always busy.”

REACTION OF OTHERS

Both Hoglund and Willden agree that the Port Townsend market can probably support a third pharmacy.

“Dividing up the pie isn’t always a good thing,” Hoglund said. “My philosophy has been to take care of clients and not worry about what else is on the market. If we take care of the clients, the business will take care of itself.”

This year, Don’s Pharmacy, at 1151 Water St., celebrates its 50th anniversary. The business was started by Don Hoglund Sr., who died when his son was in high school. Don Jr. later went to pharmacy school and began working at the store when he was 24 years old. He’s now 57.

“It was a family business and an opportunity for me,” he said. “I grew up watching the pharmacy staff and customers, and learned a lot from my dad.”

Willden, who made headlines last fall when he offered a flu clinic at Safeway dressed as Thor, said he believes the new business “will squeeze both pharmacies.

“We have a long track record of not being able to provide the speed of service that people want,” he said of the Safeway pharmacy.

“I want us to provide the best care that we can, but a lot of times we are so busy that I cannot provide that quality. Perhaps if we weren’t so busy all the time, we could provide a higher level of care.

“A problem with insurance or billing can take five minutes to address and that backs up the line,” he said. “All we are trying to do is problem solve.”

Willden doesn’t want to lose customers, but suggests that the new store “will ease our burden.”