Pharmacist TaQuina Warren demonstrates the proper use of diabetes medical supplies to her daughter Zariah. (Delaware State News/Ian Gronau)

SMYRNA — Focus Pharmacy, an independent, family-owned drugstore, officially opened its doors on 117 East Glenwood Ave. in Smyrna in late July.

TaQuina Warren, the owner, says that it’s a full-service pharmacy with a focus on diabetes.

“We’re totally independent, and service is really what’s going to separate us from other pharmacies,” she said. “Not only the level of customer service, but also the types we’ll provide. We’re specifically a diabetes care pharmacy so that’s our niche. We work very closely with all things surrounding diabetes. We built in a conference room here so we can offer all types of education services as well. We’re going to offer wellness classes, one-on-one medication coaching and consultations. We’re kind of like a healthcare destination.”

The pharmacy offers a full range of retail goods, medical supplies and some specialty items such as CBD (Cannabidiol). They also offer local deliveries.

Born and raised in Smyrna, Ms. Warren was initially inspired by her high school chemistry teacher to pursue a career as a pharmacist. She began work as an intern in Smyrna’s Happy Harry’s drugstore — later bought out by Walgreens — when she was 17 and has never looked back. She’s been in the pharmacy business for 23 year, 15 as a pharmacist herself, she says.

Shortly after deciding to open her own pharmacy with a focus on diabetes care, both her husband, Jamar, and daughter, Zariah, were diagnosed with the disease.

Mr. Warren joked that they became her first patients.

“We’ve been doing a lot of hands-on work because about a year and a half ago, our daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes and a month or so before that I was diagnosed with type two,” he said. “It was literally like TaQuina said she wanted to work with diabetes and: boom, here are your first two patients.”

Ms. Warren believes the one-on-one service her pharmacy will offer can help clients navigate the sometimes “overwhelming” amount of information that can accompany a diabetes diagnoses.

“Once you get a diagnoses, there’s a lot to know, and it can be really helpful to just sit down with a professional and learn how to properly use all the various medical equipment, medications and supplies,” she said.

Ms. Warren’s primary goal is to offer the highest level of customer service — something she feels has suffered in larger chain pharmacies.

“It’s so important for me to connect with my patients face-to-face,” she said. “I actually have a relationship with them — they’re like family.”

Her “three-year plan” includes hiring up to three more pharmacists and four pharmacy technicians to help staff the store, added Ms. Warren.

Focus Pharmacy is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

To learn more about wellness classes and one-on-one coaching, call Focus Pharmacy at 302-471-3046 or visit their social media pages by searching “Focus Pharmacy” on Facebook or Instagram.

Ribbon-cutting

•Powerful You — The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting for Powerful You last Thursday. The ceremony was held at Fifer Orchards. Powerful You is a new resource for life coaching. For more information, check out powerfulyou.life, contact Carolyn Phinney at Carolyn@powerfulyou.life or call 302-480-4727.

Coming soon

• Jerry Longo’s Meatballs & Martinis — Dover Downs officials announced last week that the existing Frankie’s Italian Restaurant will soon become Jerry Longo’s Meatballs & Martinis. Entrees at their new Dover Hotel & Casino location will include pasta dishes such as “spaghetti & our famous meatball.” Additional items include orechiette with sausage and rabe, as well as pappardelle bolognese and chicken parmigiana. The former Frankie’s location will be closed for renovations for the month of September.

Groundbreaking

• Dover Federal Credit Union — A groundbreaking for the Dover Federal Credit Union Camden branch will take place at 499 Walmart Drive in Camden Thursday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m.