Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Bell Pharmacy To Close After 50 Years
HALL TO BECOME HARPS PHARMACIST
LINCOLN — After 50 years on historic Lincoln Square, Bell Pharmacy will close its doors June 6 and pharmacist Luke Hall will move down the highway to the new Harps Food Store on Pridemore Drive.
Hall said the Harps’ pharmacy will continue to offer a hometown pharmacy along the same lines as Bell Pharmacy. The pharmacy will be focused on providing the best, most healthful outcomes for its clients.
Bell Pharmacy was started by Larry and Betty Bell about 50 years ago. Hall and John Lykins purchased the business in October 2004. Now, Hall runs the store in Lincoln and Lykins runs a store in Lowell.
The decision to close Bell Pharmacy and work for Harps was a difficult one and a long thought-out process, Hall said. He said Harps approached him when the firm started construction on the new store. After a couple of months, Harps called back to discuss the possibility more seriously.
After considering the offer, Hall
said it seemed like the opportune time to make a change.
“This town really cannot afford two pharmacies,” Hall said, adding that working as the Harps pharmacist will free up his time so he can focus on being a pharmacist and not have to deal with the financial side of running a small business.
Changes in the prescription drug industry have made it harder for a one-person pharmacy to survive, Hall said. Insurance and mail order prescriptions impact a one- store operation, he added.
Another factor in his decision, Hall said, is that he has two small children and working for Harps will allow him to have more time to spend with his family.
Bell Pharmacy’s last day will be June 6 and Hall will open up the Harps pharmacy the next day, June 7.
He plans to have a customer appreciation day on Lincoln Square sometime in May.
The new Harps pharmacy will have a drive-through and will be able to deliver prescriptions. In addition, Hall said, Harps is allowing him to continue to order specialty prescriptions that are requested by area doctors for his customers.
“Harps has been very easy to work with,” he said. “They’ve made it easy.”
Bell Pharmacy stays busy. On any given day, 30- 40 people will come through the door. The store serves customers from Lincoln, Prairie Grove and all the surrounding areas, including Oklahoma communities.
“We’re the last place before they get to Oklahoma and we catch a lot of people from different towns,” Hall said.
In many ways, customers will not see a change, Hall said.
“It’s going to still be the same. I’ll still be there and as many of my technicians that want to be there will be there.”
Current employees with Bell Pharmacy have been offered similar positions with the Harps pharmacy. Hall said some have made the decision to go with Harps and others are still deciding.
His main concern, Hall said, is that closing Bell Pharmacy will leave an empty building on the Square. He said he is open to any ideas or suggestions on how to fill this space.
Mayor Rob Hulse last week said the city has been very fortunate to have Bell Pharmacy as a constant business on the Square for so many years.
He said he doesn’t like seeing another business leave the Square but on the other hand, Hulse said he is excited about a pharmacy being in Harps and the level of convenience that will be available to Lincoln residents.
“We hope that as Lincoln continues to grow, it will entice businesses to come in and invest in Lincoln,” Hulse said. “I think we’re starting to see some interest throughout the city on some properties.”