Hometown Pharmacy Remixes the Drug Store Business

Hometown Pharmacy wants to bring back the good old days of drug stores, where friendly, family-focused pharmacists dispensed medicines, wisdom and personal attention to customers. 

The decades-old establishment, owned by Sumeet Datwani and family, is all about giving quality service at good prices, he said.

One of the unique services offered by Hometown Pharmacy is what's known as "compounding," customizing medications for patients. It also offers 
additional services such as rentals and sales of medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospitals beds and more. And Datwani said it's all about giving Tri-Boro residents the care they need and deserve and "making pharmacies the way they used to be." 

1. Tell me about how the business got started and a bit about the Bloomingdale location's history.

Hometown Pharmacy was established back in the 1960s by Morris Grunes as a local mom-and-pop store in downtown Bloomingdale.  Our family, having been in the pharmacy business for over 30 years now, was given the opportunity by Mr. Grunes to take over this local pharmacy when he was retiring. We jumped on it without hesitation knowing this was a great neighborhood and the perfect community for a family run business to thrive.  

2. What makes your pharmacy stand out from the competition?

Our dedication and attention to customer service is what sets us apart from the competition. We spend time with every single patient and are never too busy to answer any questions.  Unlike the chain pharmacies, we know our customers by name and go out of our way to ensure they are satisfied. In addition, we offer free delivery to all the surrounding towns including Butler, West Milford, Ringwood, Haskell, Kinnelon and Wanaque. We can beat or meet any price, without sacrificing the quality of care.  

3.  Explain compounding and why this is a good thing?

Customizing medications that are not commercially available is called "compounding." It offers flexibility in the choice of drug, strength and dosage form, allowing for a truly customized drug regime as patients often respond best to a personalized medication.

We are learning a lot of people have developed allergies to ingredients such as  lactose, dyes and allergens that are found in commercially available drugs. We can make hypo-allergenic, dye-free and natural compounded drugs and supplements. Another benefit of compounding is that we can make medications easier to use, by adding flavors or changing the dosage form. Pets are one of our biggest patients for compounded medications as treating them can be a challenge, but with compounding we are able to make flavored treats that they love !

4. The economy has been a nightmare in recent years. How has Hometown Pharmacy survived in the face of that challenge?

We at Hometown Pharmacy remain focused on our dedication to our customers and their needs, which has helped us tremendously to get through these tough times. By helping our patients save money, with coupons or by reaching out to the doctors and insurance companies on their behalf to change them to a more cost-effective drug that will help reduce out of pocket costs, we have helped ourselves survive too.

5.  Why the Tri-Boro?

With the growth of many big-box stores, mom-and-pop businesses like our own can only survive in small tight-knit communities like the Tri-Boro. Our goal remains to maintain the small family pharmacy feeling, which the residents deserve and want. It gives us an opportunity to serve the community and help bring back the pharmacy profession the way it used to be.