Daniel Johnson hopes to open Clarkdale Pharmacy and Gifts within two to three months.

    CLARKDALE — This small community’s growing list of amenities will soon include a full service pharmacy and gift shop.

    Construction is under way on the Clarkdale Pharmacy and Gifts, a 2,000 square foot building that will employ a pharmacist, two pharmacy technicians and a sales clerk for the gift shop, owner Daniel Johnson said.

    The pharmacy will be located on Highway 145, adjacent to the Clarkdale Superette. The store will be similar to Enterprise Pharmacy and Gifts, which Johnson also owns.

    Johnson said he decided to build a pharmacy in Clarkdale because it is located in a high traffic area near Clarkdale Attendance Center, and because it will be convenient for those driving to and from work every day.

    “I think it will benefit the community but not only that, this community is my heart,” said Johnson. “I attended Clarkdale school, my children attend the school and we live here. I know the people in the community and I wanted to have a place for them to get their medicine or buy whatever they need without the inconvenience of going into town. And plus, it will save them on gas.”

    It hasn’t been that long since Dollar General, dubbed the Clarkdale Wal-Mart by residents, built a store in the community. The Clarkdale Superette is a one-stop shop that sells gasoline, plate lunches, pizza-to-go and even boasts hand-cut meats and steaks.

    With a pharmacy and gift shop coming, residents say it will be one less reason to travel to Meridian to meet their shopping needs.

    “I think everyone is going to like the convenience of it,” Clarkdale Superette Manager Lisa Duett said. “They can have lunch here in our Deli then go next door and buy their medicine or a gift.”

    Kimberly Allen, who works at Hair and Beyond, which is next door to the site of the future pharmacy, said the store will be an asset to the community.

    “I think also it would be a great convenience to the people not to have to make that extra drive to town to pick up their prescriptions,” Allen said.

    Having a pharmacy in the community will save time in other ways as well, Johnson said.

      “I want this to be a place our customers can come in and get their medicine quickly and not have to wait in a long line the way you do at other places,” Johnson said. “We will take all insurance just like the other retailers and your medicine shouldn’t cost any more. We also will have a full service drive-through if you don’t want to come inside.”

    Sharon and Starling Alexander said they are thrilled that Clarkdale will soon have a pharmacy.

    “We live almost right across from where they are building,” Sharon Alexander said. “What a blessing to see the progress in this sweet little community.”

    Angie McLemore agreed.

    “The Clarkdale community is a great place to live and the new addition will be so beneficial to this area,” McLemore said. “It will be so convenient to stop in and pick up not only prescriptions but gifts as well.”

    Johnson he hopes to be open within two to three months.