PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 26, NO. 21
JUNE 1, 2012
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THISWEEK Above, 17-month old Twenty Nine Palms resident Melanie Rae Launius is thrilled with her first visit to the beach with her mother, Jamie Launius. Below, Carlsbad resident Krista Lee and San Marcos resident Jamie Villareal enjoy a day at the beach on Memorial Day.
NATURAL EYE
Photographer Scott Saw has the ability to capture the moods of the local coastlines. A11
INSIDE
TWO SECTIONS, 48 PAGES
Arts & Entertainment . . A11 Baby Boomer Peace . . . B11 Camp Pendleton News . . B13 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B20 Comics & Puzzles . . . . . B22 Eye Spy . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3 Hit the Road . . . . . . . . . A7 Legal Notices . . . . . . . . A18 Lick the Plate . . . . . . . . A9 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . B4 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Small Talk . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . A15 Taste of Wine . . . . . . . . A8 Who’s News? . . . . . . . . . B3
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CELEBRATING MEMORIAL DAY AT THE PIER
After a chilly start to the 3-day weekend, the weather warmed up and people flocked to local beaches to celebrate Memorial Day. Above, San Marcos resident Skye Astorga enjoys a day at the beach near Oceanside pier. Photos by Daniel Knighton
Business owners strive to compete against chain stores By Lillian Cox
ENCINITAS — After 38 years in business, the buyout of the Rancho Park Pharmacy by CVS Caremark last month leaves only one independent pharmacy in Encinitas. Brothers (Dr.) Justin and Jason Sabouri, owners of North Coast Medical Pharmacy at 477 N. El Camino Real, are turning to the community with “a call for action” to support local businesses. “CVS is one of the biggest contributors to getting rid of independent pharmacies,” Jason Sabouri asserted. “They painted a target on us.” Sabouri explained that the 2009 merger of CVS, a pharmacy, with Caremark, a pharmacybenefits manager, is driving independent pharmacies out of business because of a drug refill program that restricts where customers can buy prescriptions. “Part of (CVS Caremark CEO Tom) Ryan’s strategy to fuel sales is to buy the very companies complaining about him,” Brothers Jason and Dr. Justin Sabouri, owners of North Coast Medical Pharmacy and Rancho Santa Fe wrote Carol Wolf of Bloomberg Pharmacy, are turning to the community with “a call for action” to support local businesses. Photo by Lillian Cox
News on June 11, 2010. “This month he said CVS Caremark will purchase about 200 independent pharmacies a year to spur market share growth. The outlets would then be folded into the existing store base, he said.” Noah Wieder was a Rancho Park Pharmacy customer for 10 years until it closed. “I was shocked,” he said.“I didn’t know they were having trouble. I went there because they had short lines, good service and comparative pricing. If there was a wait, it was only 15 to 20 minutes. CVS takes forever and they are not nearly as knowledgeable.” Wieder said he is continuing to support other homegrown businesses including Postal Depot. “Franchises are typically overpriced, and rarely do you see an owner in the store,” he said. “If you do, they are handcuffed by ‘corporate’ to add products or services outside TURN TO BUSINESSES ON A20