News: Abbotsford - Shopko Closes Pharmacy (6 Feb 2019)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hansen, O’Brien

----Source: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 2/06/2019

By Kevin O’Brien

For the first time in over 110 years, the city of Abbotsford is without an operating pharmacy.

After closing for business Tuesday the pharmacy located in the Shopko Hometown in Abbotsford’s East Town mall ceased operations as part of a company wide effort to remain financially solvent.

“We are exiting the pharmacy business as part of the restructuring,” said Shoko spokeswoman Michelle Hansen, referring to the company’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The Wisconsin based company filed for Chapter 11 protections on January 16 and has auctioned off all its pharmacies.

All of the customer’s existing prescriptions were automatically transferred to Walgreens, which submitted the winning bid for 63 Shoko’s pharmacies.

The nearest Walgreens store is in Marshfield, Other pharmacies in the area included Owen-Withee pharmacies in Owen, Health Mart in downtown Medford, WalMart in Medford and Aspirus Hospital in Medford.

The closure of Abbotsford’s pharmacy puts an end to over a century of prescription medications being available locally.