Building a Healthy Neighbourhood
Pharmacist Glen Rawluk wanted to keep Meyers Drugs locally owned so much, he bought the place.
He was working at the family business when the owner, Lyall Meyer, passed away in 2017. “It accelerated things,” said Rawluk, who had considered owning his own business, but thought it would be years away.
The long-time staff at the 70-year-old business were foremost in his mind. “I wanted them to have job security,” he said of the store’s 15 employees. Many of the staff have worked there for decades.
He was also thinking of the neighbourhood. The William Avenue location has always been a bit rough, said Rawluk. As the years go by, he’s noted the increased diversity via immigration and demographic changes that have seen a rise in young families moving into the neighbourhood.
The store is also well-located to Health Sciences Centre. It was that proximity and communication with hospital dieticians that led to the store specializing in gluten-free offerings.
Meyers Gluten Free, found within Meyers Drugs, offers the province’s largest selection of gluten-free products. They also ship Canada-wide. “We have the products you can’t find elsewhere,” he said.
Another staple at 478 William Ave. is Muscles by Meyers, providing supplements for athletes and others pursuing their fitness and wellness goals. The advice people can find is part of Meyers’ commitment to coming out from behind the counter, said Rawluk. “We want to be accessible,” he said, adding that he doesn’t wear a traditional pharmacists white coat to be more approachable – and because filling his role means he’s often called into action in other parts of the store, from carrying up product from the basement to the sales floor, to all the other things that keep the place running well. Getting to know people is one of the most rewarding parts of his work, said Rawluk. “We help them. They help us,” he said. He also appreciates the variety. “Every day is different. And even if you’ve had a bad day, the next day will be better. It’s rare to have two bad days in a row.”
Photos by Claudine Gervais
