By Robert Williams

Editor

Seip Drug Store is the kind of place where you can fill your prescriptions with a friendly staff that knows your name—all-while picking up a few essentials for your home. That includes picking up everything from a sympathy card for a loved one, over-the-counter medication, gift ware and an ever changing collection of merchandise throughout all of Seip Drug’s many locations in the region.

The coming year for Seip Drug in Frazee will likely see big changes with plans for Northern Dental Access Center (NDAC) completing the purchase of the downtown commercial building on Main Avenue. The two open retail spots in the building have been empty since Seip became the lone tenant.

In August, a tentative agreement was reached between the city of Frazee and NDA Con the purchase. The center will bring 12 full-time jobs and a number of part-time positions to town and provide a lot more foot traffic for Seip once the buildings are fitted for dentists.

NDAC will be purchasing the entire property and taking over the lease with Seip Drug from the Frazee Economic Development Authority (EDA).

“The City of Frazee and Frazee EDA welcome the new Northern Dental Access Clinic,” Economic Development Consultant Don Lorsung said. “The Clinic will locate in the new Downtown Services Building, joining Seip Drug in enhancing the downtown corridor. With the potential investment of over $2 million, along with the creation of 12 new jobs to the community.”

NDAC, a non-profit, is currently raising funds to begin the project and acquire a loan for the remainder, according to city administrator Stephanie Poegel.

While Seip Drug has grown through the years, the same small-town feel customers have come to know hasn’t changed. For example, pharmacists will take the extra time to not only visit with customers about their medication needs, but they will help patrons find exactly what they are looking for on the shelves. When it comes time to tell their customers how to use the products, the pharmacists and staff members at each Seip Drug Store do their part to make sure a customer understands how to use a product—even if that means receiving a quick phone call at the drug store when a customer gets home. 

“It’s personalized service. We feel we are faster and have more of a one-on-one service,” said owner Nathan Seip of what makes Seip Drug stand apart of other pharmacies. “All of our employees care about their jobs and their patients.”

One service the pharmacy is especially proud of is the ability to mail out prescriptions to fill the ever-changing needs of their customers. This allows local residents to have the ability to receive their prescriptions if they are home bound, or unable to navigate a difficult winter storm. It’s that small town touch, and willingness to go the extra mile, to help customers and residents in the region. 

Along those same convenience lines, Seip Drug offers a med sync program at each of its stores. The program allows residents to make one trip to the drug store every 30 or 90 days, for example, to pick up all of their regular medication. The pharmacy will have all of the patient’s regular pills packaged for them, which will allow for a streamlined process for regular medication. 

The program has been a popular option for people who no longer have to remember to stop by the drug store at various times throughout the month to pick up a prescription. 

“It works well for us and the patients,” said Seip. “We just tell them they are ready to be picked up.”

Seip estimates that 70 percent of regular customers are enrolled in the med sync program.

“It’s the convenience of coming in once a month or once every 90 days for some people,” said Seip. 

Another service the pharmacy is especially proud of is the ability to mail out prescriptions to fill the ever-changing needs of their customers. This allows local residents to have the ability to receive their prescriptions if they are home bound, or unable to navigate a difficult winter storm. It’s that small town touch, and willingness to go the extra mile, to help customers and residents in the region.

In addition to conventional medical needs, each of the Seip Drug Stores have a myriad of vaccinations available as well. Most vaccinations, like the new flu vaccine, can be received with short notice as an ample amount of vaccines are kept on hand, but pharmacists ask that people call ahead just a bit to make sure a staff member is available to give the vaccine. Employees will bill a patient’s insurance company, which means in many cases, the flu shot can be received for no cost to patients. 

While he has flu vaccines on hand, Seip suggests waiting to get the flu vaccine until it gets into October as the vaccine begins to wane over time and waiting until later in the fall will provide the most coverage for patients until spring. 

For more information on the Frazee Seip location call 218-334-3070 or visit them online at www.seipdrug.com.

Frazee-Vergas Forum Publisher Chad Koenen contributed to this story.