Priceline Pharmacy Torquay opens under local ownership

PRICELINE Pharmacy Torquay is officially opening to the community today (Friday, February 14) under the new ownership of locals.

Led by owners Katrina and JJ Walia, along with junior managing partner David Nguyen-Huynh, the Gilbert Street business has been transformed into Priceline Pharmacy.

For the new owners, community has been front-of-mind throughout the entire process, wanting to deliver a pharmacy that meets their needs.

Katrina and JJ are part of the Barwon Pharmacy Group, owning stores in Waurn Ponds and Belmont, and bring with them many years of experience in the industry.

Making the change to Priceline Pharmacy has allowed them to introduce a complete health and beauty service, something owner JJ said the Torquay community was missing.

“Katrina and I have been local residents in the town and we knew what was missing in the pharmacy space,” JJ said.

“Having 40 years of combined experience, we knew having something like Priceline would allow that ease of access and convenience to patients.

“We understand the dynamics, we understand the way things work and operate, having the experience in the pharmacy that we’ve had, we want to make it better for our community.”

 

Along with offering products exclusive to Priceline Pharmacy, more professional services including vaccinations, free medication packing and absence from work certificates will also be available.

As part of the pharmacy’s transition, the SiSU Health Station has been installed, providing free cardiovascular and metabolic health checks within five minutes.

Katrina and JJ took over the pharmacy in August last year and started the first stage of renovations in October, opening their doors in December.

The second stage of works is now complete and allows entry to the pharmacy from both directions and a renovated interior with a well-lit and modern store for customers.

Since taking over the pharmacy, the couple have also increased trading hours, operating from 8am to 8pm throughout the week and 9am to 6pm on weekends.

“We are here for the community because we are open longer and that does cost wages, but we are sacrificing that to serve the community,” JJ said.

The store will also have a grand opening on March 1 from 10am until 2pm featuring a free barbecue, face painting, a balloon artist, a spin and win wheel, appearances from members of the Geelong Football Club, and more.

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