Published: March 28, 2007 11:23 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Pine Pharmacy changes hands

Longtime owner Alfonse Muto sells to Medicine Shoppe

Pine Pharmacy, a longtime fixture in the community run by the Muto family, has changed ownership.

The pharmacy in the City Market officially became a Medicine Shoppe location this week, although no major changes are expected.

“It will still have the hometown feel,” said Alfonse Muto, who has owned Pine Pharmacy for more than 20 years. “I decided to sell because I really just wanted to simplify my life a little bit.”

Established in 1985 on the 2400 block of Pine Avenue, Pine Pharmacy has grown to be one of the leading providers of custom compounded medications, nutrition and home health care needs. It moved to its current location at 1806 Pine Ave. in the City Market in 2001.

The store will continue to provide free delivery and offer medical equipment such as nursing supplies, bathroom aids, commodes, hospital beds, lift chairs, scooters, stairway elevators and more.

“We remain focused on providing patients excellent counsel from a familiar staff,” Mark Miller, vice president of company owned stores for Medicine Shoppe International, said in a released statement. “We expect this will be a smooth transition for everyone involved.”

Muto said he was pleased with the sale, especially since all of the current employees decided to stay on. The staff includes pharmacists William Tompkins, John Pullo and Gerald Senese, as well as technicians Lisa Nearhood and Joni Lowe.

“I’d like to thank my loyal customers and staff for supporting me over the last 22 years,” Muto added. “Our focus has always been to provide an environment of quality and care.”

Medicine Shoppe International is the largest franchisor of independent community pharmacies in the U.S. There are nearly 1,000 domestic locations and more than 400 pharmacies in six other countries. By focusing solely on health-related products and services, Medicine Shoppe pharmacies are able to provide more personal attention and advice to customers, Miller said.

Muto said the newest Medicine Shoppe location will likely be sold to a franchisee eventually and he has taken steps to encourage the buyer be a member of the community.

“The ultimate goal is to have it sold to a local person,” he said.

Muto will continue to own and operate his Pine Pharmacy and Home Care Center located at the Walker Center, 5110 Main St. in Williamsville. He said that pharmacy is not expected to see any changes or expansions as a result of the Niagara Falls site’s sale.

“My expansion days are over,” he said lightly.

The new Niagara Falls Medicine Shoppe pharmacy can be reached at 282-1112 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.