I hope to see many of you this Friday, Sept. 12 when some new friends of mine are holding their official grand opening for Slidell’s newest family pharmacy.
John Finnan took the entrepreneurial dive, similar to myself over five years ago, to go it alone against the “big boys” of the pharmacy world as he opened Finnan’s Family Pharmacy in Slidell in the Cross Gates Shopping Center, just down from Accent’s and Things.
John worked 16 years for several big-name drug stores, but decided he wanted to open a “mom and pop” pharmacy and picked Slidell as the place to do it, after growing up in New Orleans where he had worked as a young boy at B&B Drugs on Canal.
Several months ago, John and his wife, Lindsay, opened the doors for Finnan’s Family Pharmacy and this Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m., they are inviting everyone to stop by to see their place at their official grand opening.
They’ve thrown in a little incentive with a 50-inch flat screen TV that will be given away. You get a ticket for the TV for every new prescription switched to Finnan’s, but they will also be offering jambalaya, other food and drinks, as well as plenty of neat door prizes.
When I first stopped by the place to see who was opening a family pharmacy in Slidell, I was intrigued by what is a very interesting display of items you can purchase there—which have nothing to do with drugs! Lindsay apparently handles those items and said she had connected with some unique businesses in Louisiana to bring in a variety of Saints and LSU items, handbags, and other great gifts that you normally wouldn’t find in such a place.
Personally, I thought their line of greeting cards was fantastic since they are super funny and are great to read if you have to wait a few minutes while your prescription is filled.
But the other reason I wanted to recommend stopping by to meet John and his family (three kids so far and a fourth on the way) is that I truly could tell he wants to offer the “old school” pharmacy, where you can get advice and help from the pharmacist, who will take time to talk to you and help in today’s complicated world of Obamacare and all the problems that have come with it.
Believe me, I know relatives who have had lots of trouble getting prescriptions handled properly since you now have to deal with all this insurance business and almost can’t even buy a prescription on your own anymore. But that’s where a guy like John will help you since he has almost 20 years in the business, coming from a family where his dad was a pharmacist.
I’ll be stopping by to take a few pictures of the fun so I hope to meet you there, and I hope you’ll give a true local business a chance. John promises his prices can meet or beat almost any of the big guys so give him a shot, won’t you?
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There’s a lot of fun to be had this Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Slidell Noon Lions Pancake Breakfast, set for their “Lion’s Den” at the familiar Olde Towne house located at the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Carey Street, from 8 a.m. to noon.
The Pancake Breakfast raises money this year for the LeaderDogs for the Blind program, an organization that is raising, training and giving service dogs to the blind.
Pancakes, sausage, milk and coffee are available for only $6 so I hope you will show up and support the Lions Club—one of Slidell’s greatest organizations that has been serving our community for decades.
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I really appreciate so many local business people whom I see involved in many good deeds behind the scenes, never wanting attention for themselves, but clearly trying to make a difference in our community.
One of those people is Dave Kaufmann, owner of KB Kaufmann & Co., a construction company that has been around Slidell for as long as I’ve been writing news here.
I have covered many events over the years and I hear Dave’s name mentioned for “helping out” or “handling the construction on that for us” when it involves non-profit groups. One recent event that comes to mind is the Hospice of the South Foundation home for terminally ill people.
I’m not saying he does tons of work for free since the man has to make a living, but it’s abundantly clear he has done so many things to help our community civic groups and has never, ever tried to get publicity for what he does.
Of course, other people try to give him some attention simply as a means of saying “thank you” so I still have noticed when he gets drawn into the middle of things.
That happened again recently at the East St. Tammany Chamber Saints “Fan Up!” kickoff party, where the usual 50/50 raffle was held at the door to raise a little more money. Whose name got called to win $340? Dave Kaufmann. And what does he do when he quietly walks to the front? Donates it back to the Chamber.
I kiddingly said to someone that night “you know, Dave Kaufmann could easily run for public office and probably win pretty easily since he has such respect in the community from so many people.” But then I’m guessing the guy is too smart to jump into the political arena and risk the critics who usually come after you.
Instead, it’s clear the guy is doing what I sense he believes God wants him to do with his business success, and that should be an inspiration to many others to see.
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.