Conroy Apothecary will close its Oak Bluffs location on Nov. 1 after 10 years of filling prescriptions and providing over-the-counter medicines in the down-Island community.
Conroy Apothecary will close its Oak Bluffs location on Nov. 1 after 10 years of filling prescriptions and providing over-the-counter medicines in the down-Island community.
The satellite pharmacy located on the corner of Circuit and Pennacook avenues in a town-owned building, will be consolidated with its main location in West Tisbury, which has been operating for 31 years.
“It was a really hard decision. I’m sure there are some customers that are disappointed and I feel bad about that,” said Tamara Hersh, a pharmacist who co-owns and manages the store with her husband Stan Hersh. “But we had to do what was best for the company.”
Mrs. Hersh said all prescription records will be transferred from Oak Bluffs to West Tisbury the weekend after Nov. 1. Along with the records, the four full-time Oak Bluffs staffers will move to the West Tisbury location. One part-time worker will not be transferred to West Tisbury, she said.
Mrs. Hersh said her husband will guarantee free next-day deliveries of prescriptions to people who cannot make it to the up-Island location. Previously, he had only delivered prescriptions on Fridays.
She said the store opened in Oak Bluffs because the town wanted a local pharmacy and Conroy’s won the bid on the 10-year lease for the space in the historic Noyes building, formerly the town library. As the lease comes to an end, Ms. Hersh said the decision to close was a financial one.
“We tried to make it work for 10 years. We just feel it’s not quite busy enough in the wintertime,” she said. “A lot of other businesses in Oak Bluffs close their doors. It’s valuable in the summertime, but in the wintertime it’s just not.”
There are four pharmacies on the Island; three are locally owned. Ms. Hersh said like other small businesses, mom-and-pop pharmacies struggle to compete with big chain stores and online retailers.
“It’s a tough business with mail order, and Amazon, and companies that really squeeze you for every penny,” she said. “I can say that off-Island there are many retail pharmacies that are being bought up by large corporations.”
She said Conroy’s in West Tisbury still has plenty of business, and she hopes Oak Bluffs customers will stay with them.
“On the Monday following November first, it’s business as usual in West Tisbury,” Mrs. Hersh said.

Comments
A clear sign in my opinion
Anonymous Oak BluffsA clear sign in my opinion that we are taking steps towards alternative medicine such as cannabis, something anyone can grow in their own home, and away from harmful opiates and other medications that made the pharmaceutical industry money hand over fist at the expense of our loved ones.
If those people helped just
Ronnie Mund W.TisIf those people helped just one person GOD BLESS THEM. It's tough WINTER .
We stayed nearby for our
SharonWe stayed nearby for our summer rental and were so appreciative that this pharmacy was there. From OTC medical needs to a new rx being called in, many members of our group benefitted from this store. This is a loss to OB and the summer community.
My husband and I always stop
Catherine MarylandMy husband and I always stop in during our annual vacation in July to pick up essentials we left at home or couldn't get through TSA. CA is a great resource for natural products. They will be missed ,although we understand the economic situation. Just a note to say thank you.
As we are bombarded by
Gaston Vadasz West TisburyAs we are bombarded by national companies to switch our prescription needs to them, we must recognize that is imperative to support face to face contact with our pharmacists. Conroy's is one of the best examples of caring professionals and neighbors taking care of us with the drug jungle out there.
Add new comment