Spotlight: Hopkins Center Drug
by Nora m. Davis (HBCA)—February 2010
From top: Gunnar Carlson, General Manager; Jim Holm, Pharmacist; Mary Ann Norling, Personal Shopper
Hopkins Center Drug has deep roots in Hopkins. The store opened in 1961 under the ownership of Maynard Johnson & Leonard Skoogman. Jim Holm and Randy Pommerening purchased the store in 1973, and in 2005, Chris Beckmann and Josh Lemm (both pharmacists at Center Drug) purchased the store from Jim and Randy. Center Drug is one of three stores Chris & Josh own, including Olson Brothers in Edina and Chanhassen Center Drug in Chanhassen.
When I asked General Manager Gunnar Carlson what makes Hopkins Center Drug unique, his immediate response was “relationships with our customers, employees and the community.” (Throughout the interview those relationships become apparent as Gunnar shared stories of long-time employees and multi-generational customers.) “We strive to provide extraordinary service to our customers and part of that service is free delivery, something not offered by other drug stores.” You’ll see their delivery vans throughout the community—seven days a week!
Although they specialize in “old-fashioned” customer service, old-fashioned they are not! Center Drug recently installed the Rx Key computerized pharmacy system—the first in Minnesota. I watched the three-step process involved in filling a prescription. First the prescription was scanned into the system and a label generated outlining the medication information, dosage and strength. Next the label, along with patient information, was sent to the filling station where the prescription was filled, label added and scanned again. Finally, the prescription was sent to another station where pharmacist Jim Holm did the final inspection. He scanned the labeled container and a photo of the prescribed medication popped up on the screen! He then visually inspected the medication and double-checked the information. Three sets of eyes had reviewed and checked that prescription assuring accuracy. I asked Gunnar how many prescriptions are filled each day and his answer: over 700! Center Drug also works with area assisted living and care centers to provide medications to their residents. Multi-dose medication packs for individual residents are filled, then heat-sealed to allow for dosing at the proper time, eliminating the need for multiple containers and the possibility of errors.
Think Center Drug is all about pharmaceuticals? Wrong. Center Drug is known for their gift selection with their buyer finding unique gifts from small independent suppliers. Walk down the aisles and you’ll find Hallmark cards, around the corner a toy section, complete with Little Golden books. Have a headache, sniffily nose, upset tummy? You’ll find something to help. Other aisles feature cosmetics, candy, magazines, a copy machine and sale items. Need something not on their shelves? They’ll order it for you!
And you’ll find Mary Ann Norling (a.k.a. Personal Shopper). Mary Ann’s been known to take a request to find a birthday gift and card for a friend from a long-time customer. And she delivers: finding that perfect gift and card and making sure it’s delivered to that customer. Talk about personal service!
For more information check their website at centerdrug.com or give them a call at
952-938-2719. A great reason to shop Hopkins.
