without medication. “Even competing pharmacies helped us,” Jeff says. “They were overwhelmed with volume, but they understood the situation and did everything they could to help our customers.” Today, Yurek’s Pharmacy is back at its 519 Talbot St. location but is operating in a much smaller, temporary setup, focused primarily on prescriptions. “It’s a different type of pharmacy right now,” Jeff says. “Front shop items are slower coming back, but the main thing is making sure people get their medications.” While the fire forced a sudden pivot, adapting has always been part of Yurek’s DNA. Jeff credits his father, Ed, with setting that tone early on. “He was one of the first pharmacists to remove that step where you had to look up at the pharmacist. He wanted to be on the same level as people,” Jeff says. “He focused on customer service and making sure people got the right meds at the right time.” As corporate pharmacies moved into the market, Ed doubled down on service, delivery, and community connection. In the early 2000s, Jeff and his brother Pete took the next step: “We pivoted into home health care items to help people stay healthy at home,” Jeff says. “That really helped differentiate us.” Delivery is now a core part of the business. “People like convenience,” Jeff says. “You look at food delivery services, and how successful they are, people enjoy staying at home. We’ve got two or three cars out all day, every day, getting people their prescriptions. Delivery is something we hold near and dear to our hearts.”
Inside the business, the recent pivot tested the team like never before. Staff worked long hours under stressful conditions, often in cramped quarters. “They were working 12-plus hours a day,” Jeff says. “They joke around a lot, which helps keep things light, but it’s still stressful. The team has been amazing.” Looking ahead, the fire has created an unexpected opportunity. “We’re in the planning stages of what the new pharmacy will look like,” Jeff says. “The opportunity to rebuild a new, modern independent pharmacy is going to be great for the community.” For other business owners, Jeff says the lesson is clear: flexibility is essential. “You can’t have a heartless plan,” he says. “The plan you make today isn’t the plan you’ll be using six months from now. You need to watch your customers, your community, and be open to change.” Above all, he says, customer service remains the foundation. “No matter how bad your day is, you treat the customer like the most important person in the world,” Jeff says. “They chose to walk through your door. That’s the key ingredient to building a good independent business.” As Yurek’s Pharmacy continues its rebuild, Jeff is grateful. “The firefighters, the City, our customers, Compudata, the CASO Station, our staff and our customers. Everyone has been incredible,” he says. “We can’t thank the community enough.” After 63 years, Yurek’s Pharmacy is once again proving that the ability to pivot isn’t just about survival, it’s about moving forward, stronger than before.
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Hometown St. Thomas • March 2026 • Page 29
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