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Which pharmacy is which? Explaining the new Rimbey pharmacy with an old name

Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart isn’t moving, and it isn’t changing its high quality service!
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William Poggemiller and the experienced staff at Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart will continue to serve the community from the same location. The new Rimbey Value Drug Mart is not affiliated with the store.

A new pharmacy with an old name is causing a bit of confusion in Rimbey, but William Poggemiller, pharmacist and managing partner of Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart wants residents to know that nothing is changing at his store.

“Our store has been here for over 100 years. We operated under the banner Rimbey Value Drug Mart for many years, but in September 2021 we switched from ‘Value’ to ‘Guardian’ so we could offer our customers a wider selection of products at better prices,” Poggemiller says.

The familiar red sign switched to green, and customers soon started enjoying the better selection, better pricing, and a fantastic rewards program for over-the-counter items, while receiving the same great service from longtime staff. But earlier this spring, a new Rimbey Value Drug Mart sign popped up down the street, which had residents wondering if the old store was moving, or if former owner Patrick Rurka was coming back.

Rimbey Value Drug Mart changed its name and its sign in 2021 to become Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart, keeping the same long-tenured, caring staff. Now a new pharmacy has taken the ‘Value’ name, but it’s not affiliated with Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart or its owners.
Rimbey Value Drug Mart changed its name and its sign in 2021 to become Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart, keeping the same long-tenured, caring staff. Now a new pharmacy has taken the ‘Value’ name, but it’s not affiliated with Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart or its owners.

“People started asking if it was my store, before I’d even seen the sign in town. But if I still wanted to be a pharmacist, I wouldn’t have sold the pharmacy in 2017,” says Rurka, who owned Rimbey Value Drug Mart for 13 years and now offers individual coaching in health, mindset, weight loss, and quitting smoking.

Rurka even posted to Facebook to try and clarify the situation, saying, “It’s not my business, and it’s none of my business.”

What you need to know

  • Rimbey Guardian Drug Marthas the same dedicated staff and service that you’ve known for over 100 years. It’s in the same location it’s always been, 4917-50 Ave.
  • The new Rimbey Value Drug Mart is not associated with Guardian Drug Mart in any way. The new store has a different ownership group, which has never operated a store in Rimbey before.
  • Patient prescriptions and other services at Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart will stay at the current store. No patient information will be shared with the new Value Drug Mart location, unless specifically requested by a patient.
  • William Poggemiller and Patrick Rurka are not associated with the new Rimbey Value Drug Mart location, do not know the new owners, and do not know when the store is scheduled to open.

The White Drug Store first opened in Rimbey in 1919. The store has changed names a few times since then, but has continued serving Central Alberta for over 100 years! Find the current owners under the name Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart.
The White Drug Store first opened in Rimbey in 1919. The store has changed names a few times since then, but has continued serving Central Alberta for over 100 years! Find the current owners under the name Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart.

“I still love the staff at Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart — the majority have been working there for decades — and the store has a great legacy,” Rurka says. “I remember on my first day as store manager, the staff asked me what I’d like them to do. I said, whatever you did yesterday, do that again today! They’re a very intelligent, organized group, and that allowed me to be the golden retriever running back and forth making people happy.”

“We have an amazing group of clients that have been with us for decades, and I look forward to continuing to serve them for many years ahead,” Poggemiller says.

Visit Rimbey Guardian Drug Mart at 4917-50 Ave., open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.