No more refills at Buckeye Pharmacy

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By ERIC HAMILTON

ehamilton@vindy.com

After working 33 years in the pharmacy business, Rocky Fumi is looking for a new job.

Fumi and other employees of Buckeye Pharmacy at 120 N. Broad St. in Canfield were notified on the evening of Dec. 29 that the store would be closing the next day. The store has been a staple of the community since Fumi and Tom McCabe opened it in 1977.

The pair sold the store to Brad Bartels in 1996 and Fumi continued to work there part-time for the past 14 years. Bartels also owned Wittenauer Gift Shoppe and Discount Pharmacy in Poland, and closed that as well. Attempts to reach Bartels were unsuccessful.

“I got a call about 9 p.m. the night before,” said Fumi. “We had no indication that it would be closing until then. You wouldn’t believe all the phone calls I’ve gotten every day from people really sad about this. We weren’t just about prescriptions, we were a part of the customers’ everyday lives.

“The fact is that independent drug stores have suffered because the people we have been faithful to have been unfaithful to us. With their insurance plans, they are ordering by mail, so the sales are probably down because of that. I don’t fault (Bartels). I’m sure he was put on the spot with this situation and had little time to make decisions.”

All the Buckeye Pharmacy business is being forwarded to the Giant Eagle in Canfield, who bought the Buckeye inventory and the customer list. A phone recording at the store welcomes the former Buckeye customers. Store officials would not comment on the closing of Buckeye and directed questions to their corporate headquarters.

“There’s not much I can do right now to help people,” said Fumi. “I have the greatest sympathy for the customers who are elderly or can’t get around and those we delivered to.”

Fumi said staffers were treated very well at the store.

“We’re losing a great establishment. I knew there was a difference between the little guys and the big boys, but I didn’t know how much until now.”

In addition to Buckeye Pharmacy, Bartels also closed the doors at Wittenauer Gift Shoppe and Discount Pharmacy in Poland. That business was located at 120 S. Main St.

“I was really quite upset to hear of this, as I have shopped there for at least 40 years,” said long-time Wittenauer customer Judy Scotford. “The people employed there have always been so courteous and helpful, and I have found it to be such a great source for my prescriptions — easy to fill and refill and a handy location to everyone.

“It’s so much nicer shopping experience than the chains. I have also enjoyed the gift section and other areas in the store. Poland’s (and my) loss and, I am sure, very frustrating to many.”

Former Wittenauer customers are being directed to fill their prescriptions at the Poland Giant Eagle.