The former Dan Fitzgerald Pharmacy in Whitefish Bay could soon again be home to another pharmacy that would come complete with a soda fountain.
According to a village staff report, Milwaukee-based Hayat Pharmacy is seeking to occupy the vacant storefont at 424 E. Silver Spring Drive for use as a pharmacy, convenience store and soda fountain. In addition to filling customers’ prescriptions, it would have outdoor seating and serve fresh ice cream, soda and snacks.
Tamir Kaloti, president of Hayat, said the pharmacy will be named Whitefish Bay Pharmacy by Hayat. Assuming Hayat receives necessary approvals from the village, Kaloti said he hopes the new pharmacy will be open in about three months.
Dan Fitzgerald Pharmacy Inc. announced in August it was was closing its doors after 65 years in operation.
“That Fitzgerald pharmacy had been a pillar of the community for over 65 years and has really left a big void in the community,” Kaloti said.
He later added, “We’re seeking to bring back the high touch, high service model and the familiar and attentive customer service that Fitzgerald had that the community members already deeply missed.”
Hence the desire for the soda fountain. Kaloti said Fitzgerald Pharmacy had offered soda and ice cream in the past, and that members of the community expressed a desire for those products to again be offered.
The new pharmacy will also sell merchandise such as greeting cards, health and beauty items, small medical equipment and packaged snacks, according to an application filed with the village.
Its pharmacists can also visit patients in their homes for consultations free of charge, Kaloti added. This service is offered at other Hayat locations as well, he said.
Although a pharmacy is a permitted use for the space, the sale of other items such as soda and ice cream require additional village approval through a special use permit. The application will be considered by the Whitefish Bay Plan Commission on Tuesday evening.
The new Whitefish Bay Pharmacy by Hayat would be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Kaloti said he expects the pharmacy would employ about 10-15 people.
Via a letter to customers, Fitzgerald Pharmacy said it was closing due to “major changes” in the pharmaceutical and health care industries.
“It is simply not financially feasible to maintain Fitzgerald Pharmacy to the standards that we have built this business on,” the company stated.
Kaloti said Hayat benefits from its size in that it can buy more medications at once and as a result get a discounted price.
Hayat has 16 locations in southeastern Wisconsin. The company is also considering a building it purchased last year at the southwest corner of North Avenue and 10th Street in Milwaukee as a possible headquarters location.
