With the recent closing of the Osterville Drug Company Inc., West Gate Pharmacy is the lone survivor in what has become an area of several large chain and a few franchised pharmacies. But don't get teary-eyed over West Gate as the last slice of Americana known as the corner drug store and immortalized on Saturday Evening Post covers by artist Norman Rockwell. The killer competitor of that nostalgic institution, multiplying relentlessly, is the large chain drug store that not only dispenses prescriptions but merchandises discount footwear, canned tuna fish and picnic coolers. Jim Garvey grew up in the western part of Massachusetts and has worked at West Gate Pharmacy most of his adult life, starting out as a summer employee after graduating in 1960 from Northeastern University College of Pharmacy and with his longest absence occurring during a tour of duty in the Army. He bought the pharmacy from Bill Noyes in 1983.
West Gate meets customer needs and more.
Most of the time, there are three pharmacists on duty. Garvey has timed the walk-in customer's wait for prescriptions, and says it's considerably less at West Gate than in the chains. The pharmacy has two trucks that deliver anywhere in a marketing area that extends from the Mashpee Rotary and the Sandwiches east through Dennis on both sides of the Cape. And West Gate concentrates on products and services to help people get and stay well. Sure, you can have your photos developed, pick up the Boston or New York papers, a get-well card and a box of candy, but don't look for motor oil or cake mix.