Family Pharmacy - Aiken Chamber 2020 Small Business of the Year

Owners Jay Watts, Sherrie Watts, Brandi Johnson and Stuart Johnson.

We all know how to plan for a hurricane. You go to the store and you get milk and bread. And in true Aiken fashion, many folks also make a stop at the liquor store.

Well if it is a good plan for a hurricane, it might also be a good plan for a pandemic. But, our Small Business of the Year doesn’t do things like everyone else. They jumped in the company car, skipped the grocery store, and headed right to the liquor store.

You guessed it, there’s more to this story.

At the beginning of the pandemic, hand sanitizer was in short supply. People who could stay home could wash their hands often, but essential personnel like Aiken Public Safety didn’t have that luxury. Our Small Business of the Year, armed with an FDA approved formula, and every stand mixer they could borrow, stepped up and helped fill the supply gap making numerous gallons of hand sanitizer to give to public safety and other essential personnel.

Fast forward a bit and vaccines are developed. We know area hospitals will distribute vaccines, but are there others that could help bring vaccines to Aiken and take the pressure off these already overworked resources? Our Small Business of the Year knew they could do it.

After wading through mounds of paperwork and logistics that would frighten most businesses away, they were granted 2 of the 4 vaccine administration certifications given to independent businesses like theirs across the state of South Carolina during the first two months of vaccinations.   

To date, our Small Business of the Year has administered over 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines to not only its current family of customers but to anyone eligible. They have provided vaccine administration for public safety, city and county staff, shut-ins, and several of Aiken’s large manufacturers.

The professional staff has spent countless hours outside in their drive-thru clinics. Some days in Chamber of Commerce weather, some days in eight hours of rain, and others in eight hours of pollen. 
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Tonight, we’d like to expand on their business tagline just bit...Welcome to Family Pharmacy...That’s my Pharmacy…That’s our Small Business of the Year.