Tavistock pharmacy donates $10,000 to help improve local medical clinic

The staff at Tavistock IDA gathered on Friday to celebrate their donation to Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI). Pictured in the front are Dianne Harris, Tammy O’Toole, Darlene Nicholas and Monica Uribe. Pictured in the back are Russ Huber (TCHI president), Heather Konstant, Hilary Bald, Cathy Stokes, Lisa Zehr, Andrea Sproule and Amanda Pavey.

One of the long established and successful businesses in Tavistock is making a large financial donation to Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI), helping in TCHI’s ongoing fundraising efforts to update and improve the offices and examining rooms at the local medical clinic.

A cheque for $10,000 was presented to two of the board members at the downtown pharmacy on Friday, from owners of the IDA Pharmacy. They included Heather Konstant, Hilary Bald and Cathy Stokes.

All three say they feel it is important to continue to offer their pharmaceutical services and help with the needs of the Tavistock community.

They also want to make sure they strengthen the health care provided by area doctors that include those located in the nearby medical building in Tavistock.

The IDA pharmacy, as it is known now, originated in the 1880s with apothecary and druggist services provided by a Mr. Zoeliner.

Throughout the years, when the Tavistock medical group’s practice moved to its present location, the pharmacy also moved to 80 Maria St., where the doctors’ office and medical building are located.

There was a very small pharmaceutical dispensary located with the doctors sharing the same facility. It was operated by Sinclair Pharmacy in Stratford at the time.

Readers will remember when the present location, Don’s Grocery Store, became a sports shop in one part and a workwear shop in another.

In 1983 the building was purchased by Sinclair Pharmacy in Stratford, who included John Sinclair and Ray Cornish, and later Lyn Schlotzhauer and Elizabeth Ariss at the Tavistock Store.

Extensive remodeling took place and opened as Tavistock IDA Pharmacy.

In 1995 there was another major renovation in the store with a new merchandising concept and the motto was and continues to be “Care You Can Count On.”

Counselling services are still also provided.