Palmer Pharmacy in West Deer loves to serve community, keep hometown feel

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Kaitlyn Sullivan likes making a difference and helping people.

She does that daily at Palmer Pharmacy in West Deer.

“I decided in third grade I wanted to be a pharmacist,” said Sullivan, 26, of McCandless. “I’ve always wanted to be a pharmacist because of my dad. I used to go to work with him a lot when I was younger and just looked up to my dad.”

Sullivan and her family bought the Russellton-based pharmacy from previous owner Nick Hromika last year.

She co-owns the business with her father and mother, Kurt and Marla Nestel, and her husband, Aaron Sullivan.

Each family member plays a role when it comes to running the store.

Kurt Nestel is a pharmacist like his daughter. Marla Nestel, a nurse, does monthly blood pressure checks for customers. Aaron Sullivan handles strategy implementation, data analytics and vendor management.

“My daughter really enjoys serving the needs of the community,” Kurt Nestel said. “I’m excited that she has this opportunity to do something like this.”

A graduate of Ohio Northern University, Kaitlyn Sullivan had aspirations of working at and one day possibly owning an independent pharmacy.

She was looking for work in the Pittsburgh area when family members who live in West Deer recommended Palmer’s.

“I went around to probably nine or 10 different stores, and Nick Hromika got back to me about working part-time,” she said.

She worked for Hromika for about 18 months before he announced his plans to retire.

She didn’t want to see the store sold to a chain. She decided to buy it.

“I knew all the customers and how to build relationships with them,” Sullilvan said. “It just felt like the right place.”

She grew up surrounded by prescriptions, recalling days spent at the grocery store pharmacy where her father worked. She would go there after school and draw pictures for the customers.

“I remember some of the customers would smile and tell me that they kept my picture on the fridge,” Sullivan said. “It really sparked my passion for helping people.”

The pharmacy has been around for over 100 years, Sullivan said. It was originally known as Miller’s Pharmacy before it became Palmer’s Drug Store and eventually Palmer Pharmacy.

Hromika owned the store for close to 30 years before selling it to Sullivan and her family. It fills 100 to 120 prescriptions a day.

“I just love this pharmacy and its community. I feel connected to the individual people, they become like family as I learn their stories and follow their lives and help them with their medications and health,” Sullivan said. “I really enjoy getting to know my customers when they come to visit.”

Some of the pharmacy’s newer services include immunizations and free monthly blood pressure checks. It’s also in the process of getting an app for customers to request prescription refills from their phone.

But it hasn’t lost its nostalgic feel.

“We are still keeping the old hometown flavor with our coffee and ice cream counter, where many local folks meet their friends, have their daily coffee and doughnut and good conversation,” Sullivan said. “Many share stories with us about growing up, remembering their family going to Palmer’s to get one of our famous milkshakes.”