WAUKESHA, Wis. — For the past two decades, Moreland Plaza Pharmacy has been more than just a job for pharmacist Dr. Scott Hoff. The Waukesha-based pharmacy is a place where he gets to connect with the community. He said he knows many of his customers by name.
Hoff started as an intern at the pharmacy in the early 2000s.
“Being put in different rotations, you get the list of places you’re going and I thought, ‘Oh this is a small store. I don’t know what I’m going to do there,”’ said Hoff. “Now, 24 years later, I own part of it and couldn’t be in a better situation. It’s just great.”
Hoff returned to Moreland Plaza Pharmacy after working two years at a big chain pharmacy.
“I said when I took that job there was only one spot I’d leave it for and that would be to come back here,” said Hoff.
Moreland Plaza Pharmacy opened in the 1960s; Hoff said it is the only mom-and-pop pharmacy left in Waukesha, Wis.
“The traditions of it,” said Hoff. “The longevity of it. There’s places who go through more pharmacist in a year than what we’ve gone through in 60 and that’s a neat tribute to what we do.”
Dr. Paul Anonich has been with Moreland Plaza Pharmacy his entire career and, like Hoff, he also interned here. Today he is also a part-owner.
“We know everybody that walks through this door,” said Anonich. “I don’t even have to use a computer. I can tell you what medications they’re on. We’ve got people that call from the hospital and won’t let the doctors give them medications until they clear it from us. That’s a pretty special feeling from that standpoint.”
Both pharmacists said there’s something special getting to work for an independent pharmacy.
“Every day, we work hard to make sure the doors open tomorrow,” said Hoff. “Every day, there’s a battle for insurance company. There’s always a battle with mail order and other chains. We’re blessed to have people who appreciate what we do and support us.”
Hoff and Anonich said they are hopeful that Moreland Plaza Pharmacy will continue to serve the generations of Waukesha families who trust them.