Wimberley Pharmacy helping keep you healthy

The Wimberley Pharmacy is more than just a pharmacy.

“It’s a fun store,” John Anderson, who owns Wimberley Pharmacy with his wife Ela, said.

It fits in with the Wimberley experience. The overwhelming majority of shops in Wimberley are locally owned and operated. Each shop gives you a glimpse into the life and style of the owner. Wimberley Pharmacy, which is not part of a chain, is unique as well.

When you enter the store, the entrance has local products and crafts for sale. Just a little bit of Wimberley. But then it gets right business quickly. The products are there for a purpose.

“I’d rather sell you vitamins, than a prescription,” Anderson said.

Asking John’s advice on minor ailments will get you a whole new perspective on what you are seeking. The ailment of the month, this month is cedar fever.

“People use over the counter nasal sprays a lot. The natural recommendation, the best is to de-histamin herbs, vitamin C. This helps the body process stop histamines from being produced when an allergic person comes in contact with pollen.

“There are homeopathic drops, Texas Cedar Fever, desensitizing, like allergy shots.” But of course, everyone is different and unique. “There are weed botanicals, sinus herbs that help with drying out and drainage, without the sleepiness.” There are also other natural remedies that are available.

Knowing about cedar fever is one thing John knows growing up in Central Texas. He was born in Waco and grew up in his dad’s pharmacy in Valley Mills. After Whitney High School, he was off to the University of Texas with a B.S degree as a Pharmacist.

Working at Peoples Pharmacy in Austin he met his wife Ela.

“It is hilarious. I moved to Wimberley and worked at Peoples Pharmacy, 1986 just out of pharmacy school. As I was working there, there were a lot of grandmothers saying, ‘I have a granddaughter to meet.’ I kept hearing, ‘there’s this nice Polish girl.’ Friends set us up on blind dates. She was a no-show two times. I saw her in the store and we hit it off. She was pretty and had an accent,” John said.

Even with John’s ever positive attitude, there is a negative aspect for a business that houses prescription drugs. His business is prey, of course, to those try ing to obtain prescription and other drugs occasionally by illegal means.

“They’ve broken into the roof, the whole front door and the walls for narcotics. That’s part of the business. I’ve got more cameras and alarms. More than any bank in the county according to one of the deputies.”

“But really, there’s no bad days. It’s not really work. It’s family. The people are great.”

He also realizes the future of small town pharmacies. “In retail, it’s changing. I see the big chains getting bigger, and for independents, it will be hard to keep up. Compounding and nutrition.”

Another service offered is John is a certified shoe fitter, helping diabetics and others to get a correct comfortable fit. “A the leading cause of foot amputation is a bad fitting shoe in a diabetic.”

He is always looking for new ways to help his customers.

“Diversify. Find a niche in our retail space. Find something that helps people. If our service level is outstanding, they’re going to come back.”

John is sincere when he says, “I am blessed. I love it here. I get up everyday and want to go to work. Sometimes an hour and a half early.”

Wimberley Pharmacy is located at 120 Joe Wimberley Boulevard across the street from the post office.