FOREST CITY, Pa. — "Are you going to do some decorating," said Pharmacist technician Tish Ward. "No, I've got to get something to remember you," responded Paul Shaw.
It's the last time Paul Shaw of Forest City will be able to stop by Red Cross Pharmacy along Main Street as the business prepares to close its doors after 86 years.
Shaw said he's been going to the pharmacy for five years and that the staff were good people.
"It's very; it's heart-wrenching. It's just the customers have been, you know, I can't thank them enough for their loyalty, said Ward. "Like, you know, people have been coming here for years, and it's, it's sad."
Ward has worked as a technician at the pharmacy for years and says the decision to close the doors was not an easy one.
She says owner Scott Miskovsky tried to find a buyer for the business, but with independently owned pharmacies closing across the country, the effort was unsuccessful.
"I mean, Scott tried to keep this running," said Ward. "I mean, he would have, if, if, you know, things were different it would have stayed open. But you just can't."
Now, Ward says all prescriptions will be going to the Rite Aid in Carbondale.
Doubling the travel time for Glen Butler, who lives in Ararat Township.
"Yeah, I think this was one of the most important besides our grocery store that's in town also. But it's very important," said Butler.
Ward urges people to stick with nearby pharmacies before they all disappear.
"Does it still exist out there? I wish them all the luck. I hope, you know, maybe things will change in the future. Maybe government will change. I don't know. But it's as of right now, it's, you know, there's just no profit in it."
The last day of business for Red Cross Pharmacy is September 4th.