A thriving family business in Oak Bay celebrates six decades of success this month with what it does best B次元官网网址� community philanthropy.

Roy Tucker earned his pharmacy degree at the University of British Columbia in 1955. The family business originated with his spring 1962 purchase of Newport Pharmacy at the corner of Newport Avenue and Windsor Road, and by 1981, the family was operating one of the first Pharmasave Stores in Canada.

RoyB次元官网网址檚 son Jeff Tucker still recalls those early days, he and twin brother Tony bombing around Oak Bay and beyond on a bike, making deliveries.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e literally worked here all my life,B次元官网网址� Jeff said with a laugh. The shop celebrates 60 years this month.

As the business grew, Roy began looking for new digs. In 1977 he struck a deal with John Weicker, who was operating a pharmacy in Oak Bay Village where Pharmasave is now.

In 1985, Tony Tucker took over.

Pretty much every member of the family has worked in the store at some point.

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JeffB次元官网网址檚 daughter, Jenna Tucker, has been an employee since she was 14 and continues as her education progresses B次元官网网址搘orking off and on between phases. Next up she plans to take art therapy.

ItB次元官网网址檚 not strictly a family business, but it has that feel, with some staff having celebrated over 25 years serving Oak Bay clientele on The Avenue, such as manager Jason Skrenka and cosmetician Nairn Wilson.

B次元官网网址淧eople want to stay here,B次元官网网址� Jeff said.

Jenna characterizes the husband-wife team of Tony and Karen Tucker as generous bosses, and part of the reason people stay on. Some staffers work alongside siblings or spouses. The longevity among staff means longevity and generational knowledge of the customers. At least one has celebrity status among patrons B次元官网网址� pharmacist Gina Mihlay-Wolfe, for example, has a following.

Customers have stuck with them through the hard times, too. Jeff recalls that early during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lines to get into the store stretched back to Starbucks.

B次元官网网址淚t was important we got people in and out as quickly as they needed,B次元官网网址� he said. For five or six months, sometimes in the cold and wet, he worked that line, pulling folks into the store as allowed to fulfill post, prescription and other needs.

The customers are not only loyal, but always looking for ways to give back, something the shop offers in a variety of ways. Fundraisers abound inside and its not unusual to find a youth group of some sort selling cookies or other goods out front of the busy shop.

A Pride fundraiser bake sale is already in the planning stages for the month of May.

Now through April 26, the shop hosts a silent auction to raise funds for those in Ukraine through the Canadian Red Cross.

To bid on baskets full of products donated by Pharmasave vendors B次元官网网址� or check out all the available auction items B次元官网网址� head into the store and chat with the cashiers at the front desk. Clients can also donate at the till.

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