Main Street Drug is now open for business

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

When a new business has a grand opening, it’s unusual to keep it quiet.

But in order to comply with all the current social distancing guidelines, Main Street Drug did just that last week.

“It’s been really good. The response has been overwhelming, especially with most people not even knowing we’re open,” said Cindy Uetz.

“It’s been a struggle in that I don’t think we’ve seen the foot traffic that we would have if this virus weren’t going around right now, but it’s also a good feeling because I know they’re not going to shut me down.”

Uetz — who previously managed the Kmart Pharmacy — and her husband, Shane, purchased the former Lidd & Cordray building at 204 N. Main St. in Charles City, and completely remodeled the first floor in preparation for last week’s “soft opening.”

The clothing store closed last year when the owner, Michael Lidd, retired, and the couple re-purposed the old clothing store cabinets found in the basement for a new look, mixing the old and modern.

The pharmacy is completely independent. Uetz has said she plans to emphasize superior customer service, as well as delivery, including outside of Charles City. There have been some hurdles in the last couple of weeks, including getting the pharmacy in line with currently overworked health insurance companies.

“Insurance companies are really backed up,” Uetz said. “There are a couple of insurance companies that we still can’t bill for, though they’re supposed to come through this week.”

Uetz also said the state inspection was originally called off because the state pharmacy board was put on lockdown and couldn’t travel, but it was able to be completed through virtual means.

“They ended up doing everything they could to get me open, by phone, by FAX, email and Skype,” she said.

Main Street Drug is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Customers can call (641) 228-3519 or email pharmacist@mainstreetdrugcc.com for more information.

While the majority of the business is the pharmacy, Main Street Drug will also have over-the-counter items and items like sports braces, compression stockings and a limited selection of medical equipment, once foot traffic becomes normal again. The shop will also sell items on consignment from local artists and designers.

Uetz said some of that consignment is in now, and she will be posting photos of that online.

“We can do curbside pickup, or if you have a prescription, we can even deliver it to you if you want,” she said. “We’ve gotten quite a few customers already, and lots of transfers.”

The Uetz’s are lifelong Charles City residents, both graduating from Charles City High School. Shane is the health, safety and environment specialist at Valero.

Cynthia received her degree in pharmacy from the University of Iowa in 2009. She worked at a couple of big chain pharmacies and helped open the Cresco Family Pharmacy.