An Apothecary Shop

APOTHECARY BY THE SEA: R tur Ou R ts

By Beth A. Klahre

Where can you get a flu or shingles vaccine while you wait for your prescriptions to be filled and speak directly with a pharmacist for advice about your health? Oh, and pick up a birthday card and gift? Or find a fun trendy treasure to decorate your own home?

At The Apothecary at St. James, of course!

This new family-owned pharmacy opened at 2571 St. James Drive SE at the St. James Plantation marina in December 2021. In addition to filling prescriptions, The Apothecary carries over-the-counter products, quality nutrition and vitamin lines, and first aid supplies and medications, as well as boutique gifts like beach bags and towels, sunglasses and readers, cards, hats, holiday gifts, home décor, and housewarming gifts.

From le , Amber Vigil, co-owner Denise Hayes, and pharmacist Camille Moss welcome visitors to the Apothecary at St. James, a new pharmacy focused on wellness and carrying something for everyone.

Advanced Level of Wellness

Owners Bill and Denise Hayes operate the pharmacy in partnership with Natasha and Ed Thomas, owners of Seashore Drugs and Thomas Drugs on Oak Island and three additional local pharmacies. Ed Thomas is a fourth-generation pharmacist. The partnership between the Thomas and Hayes families brings an advanced level of wellness service and health education to Brunswick County. Natasha Thomas, an integrative functional wellness physician, will help deliver science-based seminars open to the public at the St. James Community Center on Southport Supply Road. Topics underway include supplements and vitamins, druginduced nutrition depletion, and diet.

The Apothecary at St. James caters specifically to the local demographic. Most insurance is accepted. Special orders will be

sourced by the next day if not the same day. Emergency after-hours service and home delivery for prescriptions are available. Accepting most insurance plans, The Apothecary at St. James also takes care of specialty compounding needs and pet medicines. And it offers notary public services.

Experience You Can Trust

The Hayes bring experience and expertise to the new store. They owned and operated a pharmacy in New Jersey for 25 years before relocating to Southport four years ago. That pharmacy serviced the community, nursing homes in the area, and hospice for the county, and sold upscale gifts and home goods.

Denise Hayes holds degrees in pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island and has experience working in hospital and independent retail pharmacies and home care. Bill Hayes works for an independent pharmacy buying co-op and is a pharmacy tech, EMT, and caretaker of four golden retrievers.

Rounding out the team are two additional pharmacists, Camille Moss and David Leach. Moss has been a registered pharmacist for over 33 years and is licensed in five states. Leach is a registered pharmacist for over 45 years and he’s licensed in four states.

Return to Our Roots

Moss, who worked in her locallyowned neighborhood pharmacy at the age of 15, says she feels like she’s coming full circle. “I see this pharmacy as a return to our roots, the neighborhood pharmacy where you know your pharmacist and we know you. We are excited to care for you and your family.”

And Denise Hayes adds, “We are excited about establishing relationships with new customers, patients and providers. We look forward to fulfilling your needs, taking care of our community, and servicing our neighbors.”

The Apothecary at St. James is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. A quick check-in at the St. James main gate is all that is needed to visit the pharmacy.

Photos by Beth Klahre Owners Bill and Denise Hayes operate in partnership with Natasha and Ed Thomas. Their wellness and pharmacy training is extensive.