TERESA BIRD
ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS
When Alberni Pharmacy opened late last year, they weren’t looking to add competition to the market—they came to help.
“I noticed the pharmacies here are overwhelmed, short staffed,” says owner and pharmacist Farah Kassam. “We want to work alongside other pharmacies to help out. Our primary foucs is to see if we could alleviate the pressure.”
Unique to Alberni Pharmacy is the home monitoring program. The pharmacists collaborate with doctors to help patients transition after discharge from hospital or a significant change in their health—for example, having to inject insulin for diabetes treatment. The pharmacist visits the patient’s home, check their blood pressure and administers medications.
Alberni Pharmacy also offers free delivery and a virtual clinic for those who don’t have a don’t have a doctor and the walk-in clinic is full.
“Alberni Pharmacy works by three basic principles,” says manager and pharmacist Riaz Mapara. “We are accessible for those who need us. This means we fill prescriptions quickly. We have an email address clients can contact us through and we have an answering machine so clients can leave messages.
“We also accept all insurance plans. Your insurance and deductibles can be transferred easily from one pharmacy to another, no hassle.
“We are available. Studies showed that during the pandemic, the profession that was most available was the pharmacies. We make things affordable. If something is not covered we will help out to ensure it is covered or to help the patient come up with an alternative.”
Mapar adds they are grateful for the welcome they have received in the community and from their colleagues.
“We would like to give a shout out to all the other pharmacies in Port Alberni who have assisted us with things like stock transfers and quick patient transfers,” said Mapar. “We appreciate them welcoming the ‘new kid on the block.’”
Alberni Pharmacy is located in Adelaide Mall on Johnston Road and is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are closed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. www.pharmachoice.com/locations/alberni-pharmacy.
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Robyn Lawrence and Scott Lemkay have updated a long-time breakfast spot at Harbour Quay. The pair have opened The Broken Bow at the former location of the Blue Door Café. They opened in August but started the process last October, making repairs, upstands and updating the look.
“We did some cosmetic upgrades, to make it our own,” says Lawrence.
The Broken Bow offers breakfast and brunch. The menu is locally and globally inspired and completely gluten free.
“We have had an overwhelming amount of support from the community, especially from those who are gluten-free for whatever reason,” says Lawrence.
The menu includes traditional breakfast offerings as well as a series of waffles and power bowls. Vegan options are also available. They source local products when possible, including Hertel’s meats, Flurer Smokery products and local farm produce.
Lawrence and Lemkay have acquired the space next door and hope to eventually expand their 28-seat capacity, add a back patio and offer dinner.
In the meantime, they are open Wednesday to Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Bar Barrito opened their doors in August to long lines of customers. Located on Johnston Road, next to the Esso station, the Mexican-style restaurant offers “choose your toppings” options for a variety of burritos, bowls and street tacos, including gluten-free and vegan options.
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Port Boat House has added some more hardware to their award-winning operations. In 2022 they achieved the title of World’s Largest Dealer and now in 2023 have been named Largest International Boat Dealer by Ranger Tugs. Ranger Tugs are designed and built by hand in the U.S. Port Boat House is their premier Western Canada dealer.
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Chim’s Guest House celebrated their fifth anniversary this summer. Naomi and Ed Nicholson started with just one guest house in 2018 and now have five at their site on Highway 4, west of Port Alberni. www.chims.ca.
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The Fenton Group added another family member to the team over the summer. Virginia Fenton has joined her brother Chris Fenton and their mother Esther as the client care manager for the team.
The Fenton Group also welcomed Chandra Scheffers to the team as a buying agent this summer. www.loyalhomes.ca.
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Have you dropped by The Brick in Port Alberni this summer? They renovated in June and gave the whole store a refresh. They have expanded their appliance section too. www.thebrick.com.
Teresa Bird is the group publisher of the Alberni Valley News, Parksville-Qualicum Beach News and Westerly News. Do you have a business tip for her? E-mail her at teresa.bird@blackpress.ca.