Occupancy for Russell’s IDA Pharmacy is expected for the end of March. Van Dusen Photo
RUSSELL – The New Year is bringing a big change to the life and professional practice of local pharmacist Cindy Cecillon and to Russell Village’s business core.
Under construction for several months, a new building on Concession Street owned by Cecillon and her husband is nearing completion. Occupancy is expected toward the end of March, which is a slight delay from the timing now advertised on a sign in front of the site.
Located on the north side of the Village Veterinary Clinic, the two-storey building will contain two high-end apartments and a full pharmacy on the ground floor. Each air-conditioned apartment will be 1,250 sq.ft. with two bedrooms, two baths and laundry – a positive contribution considering the shortage of residential rental units in the village.
The ground floor will be a full-service IDA Pharmacy, about 4.5 times the size of the small unit Cecillon now occupies around the corner on Castor Street, which she moved to several months ago.
Working in Russell as a pharmacist for the past 15 years, the Greely resident spent most of that time with IDA when it was located in the Medical Centre on Craig Street. After a transfer to PharmaChoice, Cecillon kept the IDA franchise and moved it downtown.
In the new expanded location, she plans to focus on home health and healthy living information and support, along with the usual assortment of off-the-shelf products and a prescription counter. Services now available at the existing location will be offered at the new store, including medication reviews, private consultation, diabetes advice and meter training, and medication compliance packaging.
Cecillon said she’s pleased with the move and with being able to continue serving Russell area residents, many of whom have become regulars over the years. Building her own outlet is a first for Cecillon and probably a last, as she has no intention of adding other stores to the inventory.
