“When you call us, a real human being will pick up the phone. Quickly.”
That’s one promise from Westport Pharmacy. The town’s newest drug store — and a bit more — opened earlier this month, in the Fortuna’s shopping plaza on Post Road East at Turkey Hill Road South..
It replaces a COVID testing center. For many years before that, it was a bank.
That means there’s a drive-through window. Westport Pharmacy owner Kenneth Lee hopes to use it for customers picking up prescriptions.
That would be one other way his new venture distinguishes itself. No other pharmacy here offers that convenience. It appeals to people who feel sick, Lee says, parents with little kids in the car, and many others.
Many other municipalities allow drive-through drugstore windows, including Norwalk. Westport limits them to banks. (Starbucks was grandfathered in; its previous incarnations include Carrol’s, Burger King and Arby’s restaurants.)
Lee hopes to add two words — “and pharmacies” — to Westport’s current zoning regulations, through a text amendment. He hopes he will not have to undertake additional measures, like a costly and time-consuming survey.
This is the owner’s third pharmacy. His two others are thriving, in Weston and Black Rock.
Kenneth Lee, in his Westport Pharmacy.
Westport seemed like a logical next step. There are several drugstores already. But, Lee — a licensed pharmacist — says that big chains like CVS and Walgreens can seem impersonal.
Two other independent stores — Colonial Druggists and Achorn Pharmacy — concentrate on medical supplies and skincare products, respectively.
Besides prescriptions, vaccinations, consultations, and the usual items like pain relievers, first aid products, shampoo, eye drops and condoms, Westport Pharmacy separates itself by offering “06880”-themed gifts, children’s toys and puzzles, wiffle ball bats and greeting cards. All are curated by Lee’s wife Susan.
The new store also delivers — drugs, and everything else.
Westport-themed gifts, and more.
Early reviews have been good, pharmacist Erica Bernardes say. “People are excited. They like the cute items. They say Westport needs a place like this.”
“We want to be the newer, better, fresher option,” Lee adds. “We want the front-end experience to be very personalized. We’re not the new guys. We have experience, and a formula that works.”
As for the competition: “It’s to our advantage to be near CVS and Walgreens. Customers can see the difference.”
(Westport Pharmacy takes all major insurance plans. They’re open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for their website.)
Westport Pharmacy manager Cassie Musante. (All photos/Dan Woog)
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