By Rhys Baker

Since 1974, Ferguson Rexall Drugs has operated in Clay Center at 713 Fifth Street. The business has recently been sold to Dustin and Keri Rogge, who own Washington Health and Drug in Washington, Yungeberg Drug in Blue Rapids, and have ownership in a pharmacy in Sabetha. Dustin Rogge says purchasing the Clay Center Pharmacy was a natural fit, “We live in Palmer. Jeff (Mayo) is still working but is ready to step back from the ownership side. We’ve been talking for quite a while. It wasn’t a quick decision, but it was kind of in the making for quite a while.” Keri Rogge added, “I think we started talking to him about 16 years ago when we bought Washington. He was a fellow pharmacy owner who helped answer many questions, and we built a good relationship with him.”

Although the Rogges’ purchased the Clay Center pharmacy on July 1st this year, the licensing and accounting work was completed this week. Pharmacist Dustin Rogge talks about what they hope to accomplish with the purchase. “Independent pharmacy is tough right now. We hope to keep it going strong, give Clay Center great pharmacy services, and ensure that people are taken care of. If we’re doing something great, we’d love to hear it, but if we’re doing something wrong, we’d also like to hear that. We can’t get better if we don’t know what customers need and our biggest thing is always trying to take care of patients like they’re our own family.”

Rogges’ do not plan to make any major changes. The store name will remain Ferguson Rexall Drugs. Two staff members had planned their retirements before the sale, including one employee that has worked for the business for 50 years. Former owner and pharmacist Jeff Mayo is still planning to work two days a week.