Gerard M. Christian never imagined he would be able to open three pharmacies on St. Croix in the last three years. He said his success in his business ventures can be attributed to God.
“It is because of God that things fell into place one after another,” Christian says. “God is in control of my life.”
Giving a personal touch and getting to know his customer’s personal needs may have something to do with his success too.
Christian says when he worked as a pharmacist locally at the old Peoples Drug Store and Kmart, their rules and regulations didn’t allow him to give the customized service he wanted to give. He figured if he was going to put in all that effort, he might as well do it for himself instead of an employer and give customers what they need and want.
He says he likes to have direct contact with people and cater to the community everyday.
Having the pharmacies open everyday is one way he serves the public.
“People still get sick and need medication even on holidays, so we are open even if it is only for a few hours,” Christian says. His latest pharmacy is open 8 to 8 Mon. through Sat. with limited hours on Sunday.
He offers a delivery service. The store can fill prescriptions in about 15 minutes. He has two other pharmacists on staff and he has 15 to 20 employees all trained in customer service
“Customer service is the key to any business,” Christian says in his calm tone of voice.
For the uninsured, he has payment plans and a small discount program he can set up.
The first pharmacy he opened is at 5 A and B Strand Street in Frederiksted. Called Christian’s Pharmacy, it is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. through Sat. The second one he named Princesse Pharmacy, located at 4040 La Grande Princess. It is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both also have limited Sunday hours. In July he opened his third store, Christian’s Pharmacy & Medical Supplies, at 50 Hannah’s Rest, across from Mr. Cheap.
He has stocked his latest store with medical supplies such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, pressure stockings and more. All the pharmacies have generic and brand name health care products at competitive prices. He stocks Lower West Indies items and old fashioned products and remedies not normally found at other local drug stores, including Teroglobin iron supplements, Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil, Scott’s Emulsions and Codal Build Up Tonic.
Christian’s parents settled on St. Croix in 1960 when he was a young child. He got his pharmacy degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.. He thought about going to med school to beome a doctor but his sister, who is also a pharmacist, convinced him to try be a pharmacist. He moved from D.C. back to St. Croix in 1984.
“People feel this is quite an accomplishment for a local,” Christian said with a heartwarming smile. “The future for my business is all in God’s hands.”
