Big Y, Louis & Clark Drug Stores Join Forces
SPRINGFIELD — Louis & Clark Drug Stores have signed an agreement to sell the assets of two pharmacy locations to Big Y Foods Inc. As of December 19, the Louis & Clark Drug Stores at 471 Breckwood Blvd. in Springfield and at 459 Main St. in Wilbraham will be operated as Big Y’s Louis & Clark Pharmacies. Louis & Clark will continue to operate its remaining locations.
“As a family-owned and -operated company, we are excited to be working with another family-owned and -operated company to continue to serve the needs of our local community. Through our partnership with Big Y, we are able to maintain our local roots,” said Skip Matthews, president of Louis & Clark. “Through our partnership with Big Y, we are able to focus our business efforts on the growing fields of home medical equipment and specialty pharmaceutical services while Big Y focuses on its strength in retail pharmacy.”
In addition, Big Y Pharmacies and Louis & Clark will work together to develop Louis & Clark’s ongoing home medical equipment division by offering referrals and consultations to Big Y customers through Louis & Clark’s Medical Supplies and Equipment located at 309 East St. at the corner of Page Boulevard in Springfield and the satellite Louis & Clark location at 238 Northampton St. in Easthampton.
Since 1965, Louis & Clark has been one of the region’s premier independent pharmacy and health care solutions providers. This new relationship with Big Y will ensure that continuity of services for these two stores.
All current Louis & Clark employees at both locations will have an opportunity to interview for employment with Big Y. Both locations will remain open, and Big Y’s Louis & Clark Pharmacies will have the same hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, services such as bill paying, money orders, postage stamps, lottery, and photocopying will continue at both locations.
The Big Y Pharmacies also work closely with the College of Pharmacy at Western New England University, including a collaboration on its Consultation and Wellness Center.
Big Y has a long history of operating satellite pharmacy locations. In fact, its pharmacy in New Milford, Conn. continues to operate in the downtown of that city. With the addition of these two locations, Big Y will have 40 pharmacies throughout its 62-store chain.
According to Big Y President Charles D’Amour, “we are extremely pleased to be partnering with another Greater Springfield family business that shares our roots and commitment to our customers in Springfield and Wilbraham and to offer our Big Y Pharmacy customers access to medical equipment and supplies through Louis & Clark. This is indeed a great opportunity for our two companies to serve and meet the needs of our customers.”
Headquartered in Springfield, Big Y is one of the largest family-owned supermarket chains in New England. Founded in 1936, it operates 64 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with more than 10,000 employees.