SHELBURNE FALLS — Amid staffing issues, Baker Pharmacy, a fixture on Bridge Street since the mid-1800s, has shut its doors for the second time in six months, effective July 3.
Baker Pharmacy had originally closed at the beginning of this year while owner Tobias Billups was looking for a pharmacist following the departure of his previous employee. This was a temporary closure, mandated by state regulations while Billups searched for another pharmacist. The current closure comes amid the same problem.
According to Billups’ business partner and Pharmacy Manager Harsh Patel, the current closure is also intended to be temporary. July 3 was the previous pharmacist’s last day, as he moved out of Massachusetts due to family reasons. Patel said Baker Pharmacy is actively looking to hire a new pharmacist.
In the meantime, Patel said Springfield Pharmacy — which is also owned by Billups — is acting as a “sister” pharmacy to Baker Pharmacy, offering free delivery to customers who previously picked up their prescriptions in Shelburne Falls in the interim. Baker Pharmacy is also assisting its customers in transferring to a different pharmacy, if they so choose.
Baker Pharmacy is the only pharmacy in western Franklin County. If customers don’t use the free delivery offered through Springfield Pharmacy, they would need to drive an additional 15 miles to Greenfield to fill their prescriptions at Big Y, Stop & Shop, Walgreens or CVS, or even farther if they would like to remain with an independent pharmacy, such as Deerfield Pharmacy.
Patel said that once a new pharmacist is found, Baker Pharmacy will reopen.
“We don’t want any patients to not have their meds picked up … until we find a new pharmacist,” Patel said.
According to information from the Shelburne Historical Society, Baker Pharmacy has been serving Shelburne Falls since 1853, after Dr. A.H. Taylor opened a drug dispensary at the location in connection with his medical office. Edwin Baker, who the pharmacy is named after, began working at the store as a clerk in 1864, then purchased the business and became the lead pharmacist in 1867. In 1870, he bought the building itself.
The local landmark has had several owners over the years: Eugene Benjamin, Harold Crosier, Charles Canedy, Winthrop “Bud” Anderson and later his son, Sam Anderson.
