NIAGARA FALLS: Pine Pharmacy changes hands

Local News

March 28, 2007

Longtime owner Alfonse Muto sells to Medicine Shoppe

By Rick Forgione/forgioner@gnnewspaper.com The Niagara Gazette Wed Mar 28, 2007, 11:24 PM EDT

Pine Pharmacy, a longtime fixture in the community run by the Muto family, has changed ownership.

The pharmacy in the City Market officially became a Medicine Shoppe location this week, although no major changes are expected.

“It will still have the hometown feel,” said Alfonse Muto, who has owned Pine Pharmacy for more than 20 years. “I decided to sell because I really just wanted to simplify my life a little bit.”

Established in 1985 on the 2400 block of Pine Avenue, Pine Pharmacy has grown to be one of the leading providers of custom compounded medications, nutrition and home health care needs. It moved to its current location at 1806 Pine Ave. in the City Market in 2001.

The store will continue to provide free delivery and offer medical equipment such as nursing supplies, bathroom aids, commodes, hospital beds, lift chairs, scooters, stairway elevators and more.

“We remain focused on providing patients excellent counsel from a familiar staff,” Mark Miller, vice president of company owned stores for Medicine Shoppe International, said in a released statement. “We expect this will be a smooth transition for everyone involved.”

Muto said he was pleased with the sale, especially since all of the current employees decided to stay on. The staff includes pharmacists William Tompkins, John Pullo and Gerald Senese, as well as technicians Lisa Nearhood and Joni Lowe.

“I’d like to thank my loyal customers and staff for supporting me over the last 22 years,” Muto added. “Our focus has always been to provide an environment of quality and care.”

Medicine Shoppe International is the largest franchisor of independent community pharmacies in the U.S. There are nearly 1,000 domestic locations and more than 400 pharmacies in six other countries. By focusing solely on health-related products and services, Medicine Shoppe pharmacies are able to provide more personal attention and advice to customers, Miller said.

Muto said the newest Medicine Shoppe location will likely be sold to a franchisee eventually and he has taken steps to encourage the buyer be a member of the community.

“The ultimate goal is to have it sold to a local person,” he said.

Muto will continue to own and operate his Pine Pharmacy and Home Care Center located at the Walker Center, 5110 Main St. in Williamsville. He said that pharmacy is not expected to see any changes or expansions as a result of the Niagara Falls site’s sale.

“My expansion days are over,” he said lightly.

The new Niagara Falls Medicine Shoppe pharmacy can be reached at 282-1112 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.

February 9, 2012 2 Photos
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately.

February 9, 2012
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.

February 9, 2012 5 Photos
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.

February 9, 2012
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.

February 9, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Do you think cigarette sales to non-Native American customers should be taxed on reservations?