Petaluma's last independent pharmacy closing its doors

Published: Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 2:38 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 2:38 p.m.

Why are you closing? The speaker is an older gray-haired man with a cane, whose question is echoed by many patients in line at The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy on Tuesday afternoon, all wondering about the closing of their preferred pharmacy.

The patients' voices emit a mix of empathy, regret and concern, as the last independent pharmacy in Petaluma prepares to shut its doors on Oct. 9.

Pharmacy technician Theresa Gallagher knows the value of independent pharmacies, having worked at Tuttle's Drugs for eight years before it was bought by Longs. When a position at the Medicine Shoppe became available, she leapt at the opportunity.

I grew up in independent pharmacies, so this was definitely a no-brainer; I've loved working here ever since, she says.

Gallagher has an easy rapport with her patients: She commiserates over the closing of the pharmacy, asks them about their families, discusses good places to eat in town and politely answers questions about her job prospects.

I've known a lot of them for a long time; some were my patients at Tuttle's and, briefly, CVS so they came to the Medicine Shoppe with me, she said.

I've known some of them for 20 years; I know their kids, their grandkids, I've watched some of them get married, says Gallagher. Some of the patients, when they react to the news, it's almost like they're losing a family member.

Here Gallagher breaks off to wish a longtime patient, Rhea, well.

I hope to see you again! she says, as Rhea waves good-bye.

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Petaluma's last independent pharmacy closing its doors