Tulsa’s Redfork area welcomes a new pharmacy, and city leaders hope it kicks off a more widespread trend.
Freeland Brown Pharmacy’s third location is in the Crystal City Shopping Center, which has benefited from grants and low-interest loans for improvements. Councilor Jeannie Cue said this is what Tulsans want to see.
"When we did the meetings for the Vision [renewal], what we heard from residents is, 'We want areas [that are] community town centers,'" Cue said. "And this is an example of a great town center."
While Crystal City still has several vacancies, a grocery store will open there later this month. Cue said similar revitalization efforts could work throughout the city.
Pharmacist Jim Brooner has served the community for 45 years and will be behind the counter.
"The west side is like a small town unto itself, and you don't really realize it unless you work here and you know the people," Brooner said.
Freeland Brown co-owner Mike Dotson said the stores are all about service, which is a good fit for west Tulsa.
"We try to learn everybody's name, call them by their first name," Dotson said. "We're real big on compliance, want people to take their medication every day like they're supposed to, and just be involved in their lives and in their health. It matters."
Crystal City is on Southwest Boulevard east of 33rd West Avenue.
