Category – Retail
Sponsor – RACV
Winner – Emerald Village Pharmacy
Finalists – Framing to a T Framers and Designers, Davey Marine
Emerald Village Pharmacy has taken out the award for the region’s top retailer.
Emerald Village Pharmacy is a community pharmacy offering a range of pharmaceutical services as well as specialising in beauty and complementary medicines.
Customer service is a priority for business owner Louisa Lammers and her team.
This dedication to customer service was never more apparent than in November 2015 when the pharmacy was gutted by fire.
A blaze caused by an electrical fault took hold in the early hours of the morning on 1 November, gutting the building and destroying most of the stock.
Just six days later the pharmacy was back on its feet in the most remarkable circumstances.
The CFA was able to save valuable customer files allowing Ms Lammers and her staff to continue a prescription delivery service – crucial to many customers in Emerald and the surrounding district.
They also set up a marquee and served customers from a spot on the footpath.
At the time Ms Lammers said it was the resilience of her staff that allowed the business to continue operating after such a devastating blow.
Quoted in the Gazette in 2015, Ms Lammers said: “I’ve got the most amazing staff. In terrible circumstances, they’ve done everything that’s been asked of them.
“I love living in Emerald. I’ve always loved it, this just confirms it.”
That professional service and ‘can do’ attitude obviously impressed the judges of this year’s awards.
Pharmacy assist Gabby D’Arcy said the Emerald Village Pharmacy took pride in assisting its customers by offering services such as blood pressure monitoring, medication reviews and a medicine packing service.
In 2015 Ms D’Arcy was nominated as a state finalist for the Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award.
“We aim to ensure each customer receives products and advice to encourage a positive health outcome,” Ms D’Arcy said.
“Our staff have vast experience in all areas of health and wellbeing including diabetes, asthma, vitamins, make-up and specialty skin care products.”
