New pharmacy opens on Outer Drive

"We're proud of that fact, but realized it was time for the Leeds Pharmacy to move," he said.

The Leeds Pharmacy combined operations with the Indian Hills Pharmacy, 1551 Indian Hills Drive, and now the two provide services at 2729 Outer Drive. Midwest Community Credit Union previously had occupied the building until closing that facility in December 2010 and consolidating services with its main office in Morningside.

The new business is called Leeds Northside Healthmart Pharmacy.

"We had been looking for a new location for some time," Dodds pointed out. "This seemed to suit our needs the best."

The building has 3,500 square feet of space, which means merchandise had to be condensed from the two businesses. Some personal care items, gifts for all ages (including Cabbage Patch dolls in the early 1980s) and even electronics, which could be purchased at either location have been eliminated, Dodds explained.

"We did have to scale back, but we are continuing to evaluate our needs here," he said. "We've been adding and subtracting items as our customers tell us what they'd like us to focus on."

Dodds bought the former Dooley drug store at 4001 Floyd Blvd. in 1970 and moved his operation to 4029 Floyd Blvd. in the late 1970s. The Indian Hills Pharmacy has been in operation since in 1977 in the Indian Hills Shopping Center which began in 1973 with the former Sunshine Foods grocery store. The grocery store closed in 2004, leaving just a few retail establishments in the center.

"Given the occupancy rate at Indian Hills Shopping Center and the age of the Leeds building, we thought it would be best to find both our pharmacies a new home," Dodds said.

Now located on Outer Drive which was completed to link to Highway 75 in 2010, Leeds Northside Healthmart Pharmacy is situated on one of the highest traffic areas in Sioux City, which gives the store high visibility and contributes to its growth.

"We know most of our customers by their first names and a lot of their families," Dodds said. As he stood in the pharmacy to talk, customers stopped by to chat.

When someone dials the pharmacy, they are answered by a person and not an automated voice. That's part of the commitment to service that's the focus of the pharmacy, Dodds stressed.

"I would hope we treat people the way they want to be treated, the way I like to be treated," he said.

In addition to Dodds, Marc Thorson and Wendell Simmonds also work as pharmacists. Dodds and Symonds have been in partnership with Bob Rehal of Greenville Pharmacy, 2701 Correctionville Road for over three decades.

Looking at the current state of health care, Dodds understands the cost of drugs is a major concern for most people, particularly as the population continues to live longer. For some without insurance or for those on Medicare, the cost of prescription drugs can force difficult decisions. Dodds thinks that must change.

"The cost of pharmaceuticals is a major problem," he said. "And it's best to not get me started on insurance companies."

Leeds Northside Healthmart Pharmacy delivers to its customers and also has a 24-hour telephone line. They also bill Medicare and other insurance companies. Besides home health supplies, the pharmacy carries diabetes care products.

Dodds strives to give customers the amenities larger competitors can't. As an independent pharmacist, the future of Leeds Northside Healthmart Pharmacy depends on it.

"We're trying to give people all the personal services they want," he said.

More often, patients call with questions about prescriptions or interaction of medications with over-the-counter drugs. It's an advantage of their hometown service, Dodds felt

"We will often just talk with patients and ask about things," he said. "Sometimes, that lets us know if there might be a problem."