ESTEVAN — The new owner of Henders Drugs in Estevan is excited to lead one of the city's long-standing businesses.
Kristen Cote officially became the owner of the pharmacy May 1, after purchasing the company from Larry Preddy and Allen Miller, who had owned the business since 1985, after they purchased it from Dick Henders.
Cote graduated from the University of Saskatchewan and has been practising pharmacy in the southeast for the past 17 years.
"I started my career in community pharmacy in Weyburn upon graduation," she recalled in an interview with SaskToday. "I then went on to do relief work around the province and eventually purchased my first pharmacy in Stoughton in 2019."
Early in her career, she worked with Preddy's sister Dianne Fahlman, who also became a pharmacist.
"She always spoke highly of Larry and Allen and the business they had grown in Estevan. I admired how respected the staff and business were in the community," she said.
Cote added Henders Drugs has always been a strong supporter of local events and organizations in the community, and being raised in a small town and raising her kids in a rural setting, she said she truly appreciates their efforts.
"I want to see my patients and their families at the hockey rink, the rodeo arena and in the grocery store and know one another by name. I think that’s something special that we get to experience in smaller communities," Cote said.
A familiar face – one that is present in the community and one you can trust with your health-care needs – is important in a smaller community like Estevan, she said.
The pharmaceutical industry is constantly evolving, she said, and its professional scope has changed drastically even in her career.
"We now have the ability to diagnose and prescribe for minor ailments. We are easily accessible to our communities. With the lack of physicians in our rural communities at times, I am so glad we, as pharmacists, are another tool to help our patients access care when they need it.
"I also love meeting new people and building relationships and visiting with my patients. Everyone has a story, and I truly enjoy being a small part of their journey."
Preddy and Miller believe they sold the business to the right person.
"She seems to be a very bright person and a go-getter, and I think the customers will get along great with her," said Preddy, who retired at the end of June following a 56-year pharmacy career.
Miller, who retired last year after 54 years as a pharmacist, said Cote is a very capable and nice person who he believes will do very well.
Miller said he enjoyed working with the customers and serving them. His focus was to look after their needs.
"There were many, many changes, with the way medicine is practised. The computers took over a lot of the things that we do," said Miller. "Like anything else, there's so many changes that go on, government-wise, policy-wise, you name it, it happens. You just have to accommodate the best you can and go from there."
Miller believes he and Preddy did a good job of keeping the tradition started by Henders back in the 1950s.
"We were a good mix. Larry looked after the business part of it, so I didn't have to do that. Things worked out very well. I don't think we had an argument over all of those years."
Miller recalled he worked for Henders for years before he and Preddy purchased the business. Services such as ticket sales were brought in after they became the owners.
Cote expects there will be a full renovation of the business. She would like to expand the pharmacy area and add additional space for professional services.
"The revitalization of downtown in Estevan has also inspired us to complete a renovation and expand products offered in our front store as well. We would like to incorporate some unique giftware, etc. We hope to attract more customers to shop local right here in Estevan with all the amazing stores downtown."
