Beloved Southold Pharmacy Celebrates 6o Years: 'So Very Grateful'

SOUTHOLD, NY — In a rapidly changing world, there are places, mom-and-shop businesses that give towns and villages a center, a heart, a sense of comfort — and of home. Residents who line up regularly for their prescriptions at the Southold Pharmacy, and at the Shelter Island Heights Pharmacy, share laughter and stories — and the moments that make up lives, big and small.

Those same customers were invited last week to stop by the Southold Pharmacy to share snacks, sales and memories — as owners and staff at the Main Street location, and at the family's second business, Shelter Island Heights Pharmacy, celebrated 60 years.

Paulette Ofrias, who owns the businesses with her partners — her sister Suzanne and her sister's husband David Fujita — told Patch the story of how the beloved business was born.

Southold Pharmacy was opened in October, 1963, Ofrias said. "My dad, Don Scott, along with his partner at the time Bill Golder, opened the store. Also instrumental were my mother Ann Scott, my grandfather Bruce Baltz and my uncle Gabe Zillo. My dad bought out Mr. Golder in the mid 70s. At that time, Bill Verme purchased shares and became a partner until he passed away in 1994," she said.

Sadly, Ofrias' father passed away in October, 2012.

Ofrias, along with her two sisters Michelle and Suzanne, worked at the pharmacy throughout high school.

"My sister Suzanne later became a pharmacist and worked at our Shelter Island location until about a year and a half ago," she said.

Throughout the decades, employees have become family, Ofrias said.

"We have had hundreds of employees over the years and many of them have worked here for more than 20 years," she said. "We have employed high school students over the years, and quite often, it was their first job. Several have gone on to pharmacy school and returned."

For Ofrias, the pharmacy has always been more than just a business.

"I have been involved since I was young. I left for college and other jobs and returned around 1985," she said. "It is and always has been a huge part of my life and that of my family's. My sons were raised here at the pharmacy."

However, despite all the fulfillment the pharmacy brings, the landscape for small mom-and-pop, brick and mortar businesses has changed dramatically over six decades, she added.

"So many challenges," she said. "The uneven playing field in the world of pharmacy. The 'big box' pharmacies dictate reimbursement, where customers can get their prescriptions filled, along with other inadequacies. Mail order pharmacy is also a competitor that we really cannot complete with."

However, she said, "Our customers are often surprised at our competitive pricing when they ask for the price of prescriptions."

It is the small, family run shops that give hometowns their very heart, Ofrias said.

"The small businesses in our communities are the ones that donate to all of the local causes — schools, golf outings, raffles, etc.,while the 'big guys' do not."

And at the Southold and Shelter Island pharmacies, customers who come back, year after year for generations, are always greeted by name, with a friendly smile and the irreplaceable warmth of shared memories.

"Our staff are part of our community and we take great pride in servicing our customers," Ofrias said.

Reflecting on her own personal joys in running such a well-loved business in town, Ofrias said she finds fulfillment in knowing she and her staff can help their customers.

"Whether it's delivering to them, helping them after hours, or just listening to them — it makes it all worthwhile," she said.

When asked about some of her favorite memories, the stories, sad and joyful, that have been told across counters over the years, Ofrias smiled. "Too many to list," she said.

Looking ahead, Ofrias said: "I am not sure what the next chapter will bring, but we will always be here for all of our customers. Whether they have been a customer for a week or 60 years. we appreciated them all."

And, she added: "I would also like to note that without my wonderful staff. we could not do what we do. They are the best — and I am so very grateful to have them as part of our Southold Pharmacy team."