Drug store’s new owner follows in dad’s footsteps

 

Last updated 3/6/2014 at Noon

Corinna Gray, Pharmacist and owner of Ritzville Drug Company

Ritzville Drug’s new owner is following in the footsteps of their father. This is a case of like father, like daughter.

Pharmacist Corinna Gray took ownership of Ritzville Drug Company on Jan. 1, purchasing the business from Sam and Debbie Duncan.

Most of the store’s customers were familiar with Gray when the transaction occurred. She worked here for her father for two years in 2005-2007, shortly after he acquired the business from Loren Schuler. Additionally, she has periodically joined the Duncans for community events and activities.

Gray has been a pharmacist since 2001, after completing the college course work necessary for the role.

She attended the University of Idaho and Lewis Clark State College to accomplish general course work and pre-pharmacy requirements. In 2001 she earned her doctorate from Washington State University.

For those who have wondered where Duncan went, Gray happily reported that he retired and has been enjoying life.

The proud new business owner has plans to make additions to the store and add services, but said customers should not experience any negative changes.

“One of the reasons that I bought Ritzville Drug is because I like Ritzville Drug. I am not out to change the store. I am out to make it the best it can be by fulfilling the wants and needs of the community,” Gray said. “Ritzville Drug will still be the store you remember, just better. We will keep the basics for those who don’t like change and bring out the bells and whistles for those that like whistles and bells.”

The new services will come in different ways. On the pharmacy side, Gray is rolling out medicine synchronization, which will make it easy for customers to obtain refills for all of their medications once a month.

Compliance packaging is next on the radar. Gray believes she can help customers stay organized in terms of what medications to take and when using a bubble pack system and medicine box filling procedure.

The retail side of the store will enjoy some seasonal excitement as new items are brought in regularly.

“We just went shopping at the Seattle Gift Show in mid-January and picked out a lot of new gifts for the New Year,” Gray said. “Our gift selection will be enhanced with these new items and awesome displays.”

Even with new inventory, Gray stressed one thing will remain the same: “Our commitment is to the customer,” she said. “We strive for friendly, dependable service. Ritzville Drug’s pharmacists and staff are available to assist you with the advice, products and services that you need.”

Gray is a single mother of three grown children. Her oldest son, Jake, is finishing his chemical engineering degree at WSU. Son, Eric, is a Lance Corporal in the United States Marines, as a radio repair man. Gray’s daughter, Caitlin, recently graduated from high school.

Professionally Gray’s background as a pharmacist is diverse. Most recently she was a long term care pharmacist for northwest Health System, Inc. She was a staff pharmacist for a long term care pharmacy and hospice from 2007 through 2012.

Simultaneously for a year she worked for Supervalu, Inc., as a pharmacy manager for a retail food chain.

Right out of college, as a new pharmacist, Gray worked as a staff pharmacist for Safeway Food & Drug for four and a half years.

In her personal time, Gray has a handful of hobbies she truly enjoys and a few from her past she might revive.

“I’ve always liked to bake and cook,” she said. “I really like to look at old cookbooks and see how the premade products we grab off the shelf now were made originally. Usually when I get the cooking bug I want to start from scratch.”

Gardening is another love of hers. She enjoys starting seeds indoors and then working in the garden as the weather improves.

“I’m not the best at gardening, but I enjoy the activity and learning what works and what doesn’t,” she said. “I really like flowering perennials. I planted 300 crocus bulbs in my front yard lawn. People actually pull their cars over and stop to look at all of them blooming. If you ever want to talk flowers, I’m listening.”

Gray has dabbled in pottery and making stained glass windows. She says she might return to one of those now that her children are grown.

And of course, she loves shopping.

“Window shopping is one of my favorite things,” she said. “I just like to see what’s out there.”

Gray is a lover of dogs. So much so you might meet one of her three family pets on the days she’s working in the store. She currently has an Akita chow mix, pitbull mix and a Newfoundland retriever mix.

 

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