Clarkdale Pharmacy and Gifts employees Patricia Hyde, Chasity Tanner and Joni Miller prepare for the store's grand opening.

    CLARKDALE — Residents in the small community of Clarkdale will have one less reason to travel to Meridian for their shopping needs.

    On Monday, Clarkdale Pharmacy and Gifts will open its doors to the public.

    “I am a diabetic and my daughter has cerebral palsy, migraines and a seizure disorder, so we have to buy a lot of medicine,” Clarkdale resident Sally Long said. “I always try to get everything we need when we are in Meridian but it seems I always forget something.”    

    The full-service pharmacy is the latest in a growing list of amenities added to the community that includes the recent construction of a Dollar General store. The pharmacy is located on Highway 145, adjacent to the Clarkdale Superette, a one-stop shop that sells gasoline, pizza, plate lunches and even hand-cut meat and steaks.

    The pharmacy’s grand opening will begin at 9 a.m.

    “I am really excited about our new store,” Clarkdale Pharmacy and Gifts owner Daniel Johnson said. “I have talked to a lot of people and they can’t wait to move their prescriptions so they won’t have to drive to Meridian.”

    Head Pharmacist Technician Chasity Tanner said everyone has worked hard to create a one-of-a-kind pharmacy.

    “It has been meticulously designed to flow fast and efficiently in order to better serve our customers,” Tanner said. “We are also excited to be able to form a personal relationship in getting to know each of our patients. We like to refer to ourselves as a family rather than a business.”

    Clarkdale Pharmacy and gifts will be open  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, the gift shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Long believes having a pharmacy in the community will be convenient.

    “It is very frustrating when you have a sick child and you have to wait a long time to get your medicine filled,” Long said. “I work at the school, so now I can just call my prescription in and pick it up on the way home.”