Magruder responding to Rite Aid pharmacy closing

Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton is planning to open a new retail pharmacy inside the Bassett’s Market on East Harbor Road in October.

Magruder Hospital President Nick Marsico gave details. The new pharmacy should be in the Bassett's Market in the Knoll Crest Shopping Center, often referred to as the Catawba Island Bassett's, at 3994 East Harbor Road.

New pharmacy to open in response to Rite Aid closing

“We're going to open up a retail pharmacy. Magruder Hospital is going to open the pharmacy inside of Bassetts,” Marsico said. “We're going to run it as a service organization. As a service-based entity, that really is here to provide a relief valve, especially now as the Rite Aids are closing. All those Rite Aids are closing in Michigan and Ohio.

"Our Rite Aid is closing, Oak Harbor, Clyde and Fremont. All the records are being transferred to the Walgreens in Fremont.” He said that on Aug. 19 at the Port Clinton Rite Aid.

“Our tentative goal-line date is Oct. 1. We would like to be open by then," Marsico said. "Bassett's has a great reputation for great customer service and, frankly, so do we. We can't think of a better way to work together and provide a great service."

While there will be some lag time between the closing of the Rite Aid and the opening of the new pharmacy, he also mentioned the option of using the current Magruder Pharmacy.

“We operate a retail pharmacy here, out back, right now, with a drive-thru. It provides service mostly to our urgent care and ER patients who are leaving after their service. We also serve the local community and a lot of our employees,” Marsico said.

The hospital had not been considering it, but he told the story about how it came about.

Bassett reached out to Magruder to open in-store pharmacy

“Charlie Bassett reached out to me a few months ago. It was his idea. He said, 'Crazy idea, would ever consider opening up a pharmacy in my store? You guys run it. I don't want to run it,'” Marsico said. Bassett's Market had one, which closed in 2022.

"We have a little different business model. I'm not looking to make a profit with it. We're looking to break even,” Marsico said.

rlapointe@gannett.com 419-332-2674

This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Magruder responding to Rite Aid pharmacy closing