Marian Atia, born and educated in Egypt, has chosen to locate her new pharmacy overlooking Sarnia’s waterfront.
She had never lived in Sarnia until this spring but says she was drawn here by the area’s beauty. The 27-year-old says she was visiting family in Sarnia and happened to drive past the St. Clair Corporate Centre at 265 Front St.
“I saw this building on the water, saw how beautiful it is, and thought it would be an ideal place,” she said.
Atia lived in Egypt before immigrating to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with her family when she was seven.
She returned to Egypt to earn a pharmacy degree at the Ain Shams University in Cairo in 2010, followed by additional courses at the University of Toronto where she wrote her exams.
Last September, she earned her licence and began working at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Mississauga.
At that point, she began seriously thinking of owning her own pharmacy.
“I really like the idea of one-on-one with people,” she said. “Once people are comfortable with you, they are more likely to open up and that gives you a greater opportunity to help.”
In the competitive world of pharmacies, it’s her hope that Front St. Pharmacy will stand out among the competition because of her attention to patient care.
“If there’s a better medication that I can get at a good price, then I will,” Atia said. “Having my own store means there’s so much more to it than dispensing.
“I want to bring care to your healthcare.”
Front St. Pharmacy on the main floor of the St. Clair Corporate Centre has an extensive inventory of non-pharmaceutical products as well.
“I wanted to have enough space for a big herbal, multivitamin and mineral section, personal hygiene products, snacks and food items,” she said.
NEW CAFÉ IN TOWN
A new restaurant featuring coffee and wraps has opened at 108 Christina St. near the library.
Under Wraps Café has freshly roasted and brewed coffee, burritos, gourmet wraps and house made sauces.
Check it out in person and on Facebook.
Got an interesting business story? Contact Cathy Dobson at [email protected] or call 226-932-0985.
- Cathy Dobson