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LAPLACE — After more than 40 years of serving the community from Carrollwood Drive, The Medicine Shoppe has crossed the street to a new and improved location at 70 Dominican Drive in LaPlace.

Second generation owner Andrew Gomila said customers should expect improved efficiency with the same care and personal touch that St. John the Baptist Parish has come to expect from The Medicine Shoppe.

The new location has a drive-thru window now offering convenient prescription drop-off and pick-up, along with an expanded compounding facility.

Lobbies remain closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, though Gomila hopes to welcome the community inside in the near future.

“I feel that the drive thru is going to greatly improve our efficiency as it comes to customer service, and it helps with the current pandemic situation,” he said.

“As that dissipates, you will still see moms with sick kids who won’t have to worry about coming into our waiting room anymore. They will be able to drive through and pick up their prescriptions.”

The expanded compounding facility is another critical component in keeping The Medicine Shoppe on par with the ever-evolving pharmaceutical industry.

“There were some new laws put into effect in regards to compounding that made our old facility obsolete,” Gomila said, adding that current guidelines on hazardous chemicals require compounding buildings to operate separate from the rest of the pharmacy.

Labs in the Dominican Drive facility have been built to meet new specifications.

The Medicine Shoppe has offered prescription services and over-the-counter pain medication, vitamins, cold and allergy medication, oral health supplies and first aid items for more than four decades.

The business got its start after founding owner Bill Gomila opened his first storefront, originally named Gem Drugs, on Belle Terre Boulevard. He and Byron Millet went into business together to operate stores in LaPlace, Reserve and Gramercy until the partnership ended, and the LaPlace location’s name changed to The Medicine Shoppe.

Bill Gomila’s son, Andrew, started working at the business in 2011. It didn’t take long to realize the family business would one day pass from father to son.

The official changeover is set to take place in the next few weeks as Bill Gomila prepares to sell the business to Andrew.

While the building and ownership might be new, the younger Gomila doesn’t expect the community to notice a difference in daily operations. He feels customer service is what has always set The Medicine Shoppe apart from big-box pharmacies, and that’s not going to change.

“Most of our employees have been with us for over five years. Two of them, close to 20 years,” Gomila said. “They know our customers. They are out and about in the community, and everybody knows everybody in this town.”

The Medicine Shoppe’s hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Curbside pick-up will continued to be offered in addition to the new drive-thru service.

Please call 985-652-1245 for assistance with prescription drop-off and pick-up from your vehicle. Please have credit card information readily available.

For any other questions, please email 1030@themedicineshoppe.com.

“This is an exciting time for our business, and we are looking forward to continuing our tradition of serving the community from this bigger, better facility,” Gomila said. “Thank you for your patience during this transition, and as always, for allowing us to serve your healthcare needs.”