Henders Drugs has been a familiar sight in the community of Estevan since the mid ‘50s. The business has been under the ownership of pharmacists Larry Preddy and Allen Miller since New Year’s Day of 1985, when they officially bought it from the original owners Dick and Scott Henders.
“The store has been the same size since it was opened, basically,” said Preddy, who runs a business that sits in one of the most central and visible spots downtown, on Fourth Street, which gives customers optimal street access to the pharmacy.
Preddy said the number one priority of the business since its inception, has been the multitude of local customers it regularly serves. He added that he and the rest of the staff do their best to fulfill the needs of those customers.
“We offer a whole range of prescription services. We’re a full-service pharmacy, so we do medication reviews, compliance packaging, you name it. If it’s involved in anything (related to) pharmacy, we do it,” said Preddy.
The business offers other services that include medication management services, tobacco cessation services, minor ailment prescribing, flu shots, online billing to third party payers and free prescription delivery. On Thursdays, Henders offers free blood pressuring monitoring from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Henders Drugs boasts a front store, where it offers health and beauty products, as well as an assortment of other over-the-counter items, ranging from daily living aids, to books and home decor. Henders is also a Ticketmaster outlet.
One of the challenges the pharmacy has faced over the years is the pressure of being the only locally-owned independent pharmacy in Estevan.
Preddy said he, Miller and their staff have always strived to make the pharmacy a community hub. Making and keeping it that way has been, and continues to be, an important part of running the business to him.
“I was born in Estevan, and Estevan is an important place to me. Allen has lived here since 1965, so it’s an important place to him, too,” said Preddy. “The community has been good to us, and we try to give back, whenever we can, as well.”
Henders Drugs is a stalwart contributor to local organizations, selling tickets to an assortment of local events, over the years, which Preddy admitted he has lost track of, since there have been so many. For charitable organizations and events, the sale of tickets is a service provided for free. Henders has also made a surfeit of cash and door prize donations to local causes over the years.
Preddy and Miller both volunteer with an assortment of local organizations. These include Woodlawn Regional Park, the Estevan Golf Club, the Estevan Elks Club and the Business Improvement District Board, among many others.
“It’s sometimes challenging, going up against the big corporate stores, and so forth. But I think we hold our own,” said Preddy. “We pride ourselves on the service we provide to our customers, and we try to be competitive with our service.”
Looking forward, Preddy said he is hopeful for the continued success of Henders Drugs. He said that while the business might not be running under the guidance of himself and Miller in the future, he said he hopes it continues to exist as an independent pharmacy.
He added, “I think independents are a unique entity that bring a community-caring atmosphere to their work. I hope Henders continues just as we are now.”
