Super Thrifty Drugs acquires Birtle Pharmacy

Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd. is expanding its footprint in Westman with the acquisition of Birtle Pharmacy, officially taking ownership of the business last Monday.

The pharmacy’s current product selection and Perks Loyalty program will remain in place, while customers will also gain access to Super Thrifty’s Super Saver Flyer program.

Super Thrifty Drugs president Jennifer Ludwig said Birtle Pharmacy was a natural fit for the company because of its strong community roots and patient-focused approach.

“Steve and Alison Desjardins have a long history of providing excellent care and service to the community,” Ludwig told the Sun on Thursday.

“Their provision of personalized health-care solutions while being locally owned and operated matches very well with the values of Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd. We are proud to be able to carry on their legacy within the Super Thrifty family.”

The acquisition marks a transition for longtime owners Steve and Alison Desjardins, who have operated the pharmacy for 26 years. While stepping away from ownership, both will remain on staff during the transition period to help ensure continuity for customers and patients.

Residents in Birtle and surrounding communities can expect familiar faces and continued services despite the ownership change, Ludwig said.

“The health-care and product services that patients and customers know and love in Birtle will continue,” she said.

“We are pleased to have both Steve and Alison remain on staff during the transition while Jenna Badger moves into the pharmacy manager role.”

Badger, who has worked alongside the Desjardins for the past decade, said she hopes to continue the standard of care established by the couple.

“I have been fortunate enough to have been mentored by Alison and Steve for the past 10 years and have seen first-hand the level of care that they provide to their patients and the level of service that they provide to their community,” Badger said in the company’s release.

“I hope to continue to provide this level of care.”

Steve said selling the business to Super Thrifty ensured customers would continue receiving the same level of service from the staff they already know and trust.

Alison said the pharmacy has built relationships over more than two decades serving residents in Birtle and nearby communities.

“We’re proud to have built a business that people from the entire area can rely on,” she said. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with our family, from our three sons in Canmore to our parents here in Westman.”

Ludwig said Super Thrifty intends to maintain the pharmacy’s local community connection by encouraging staff involvement through volunteering, event sponsorships and community engagement.

“We are extremely happy to welcome the current staff to our Super Thrifty family. As with all of our locations, we look to the individual managers to provide us with insight as to what services and pharmacy programs may be of benefit to their community,” she said.

“Super Thrifty Drugs remains committed to supporting the communities they serve. We are so happy to have the opportunity to become a part of this community.”

With the addition of Birtle Pharmacy, Super Thrifty now operates 18 locations across Manitoba, with all the other stores locally owned by pharmacists.

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