C&K Market to Drop Pharmacy Business

Regional independent C&K Market, Inc. plans to sell its pharmacies in an effort to strengthen its focus on its core grocery operations.

The Brookings, Ore.-based grocer owns 15 pharmacies that operate as Pharmacy Express, Tiffany's Drugs and Chetco Pharmacy & Gifts in communities in southern Oregon and northern California.

"In a move to strengthen our operations, we plan to focus exclusively on our core business of operating community grocery stores," said Gregory L. Sandeno, president of C&K Market. "We're known for our friendly service. We plan to build on that and implement strategies to increase our value proposition. We have strong buyers for each of our pharmacies and that ensures our customers will continue to be served in their communities. Customer prescriptions will be transferred to the buyers with the goal of making the transfer as seamless as possible.”

According to Sandeno, the new buyers will be just as responsive and helpful to customers as C&K has been over the years. "Personally, I want to thank our pharmacy customers for their business over the years, as well as extend my appreciation to our pharmacy employees who have provided responsive, helpful service and worked hard on our behalf,” he said.

C&K Market operates 60 stores under the banners of Ray's Food Place, Shop Smart, C&K Market and LoBuck$.