Awadein started working with Shoppers Drug Mart right around when Covid started, he's only been looking upwards since then | Mik Horvath/MBC
The Shoppers Drug Mart in Renfrew has been silently building itself up and now it is nearly time to open the doors.
For a Shoppers to open it must be owned and run by a pharmacist, in this case it’s Karim Awadein.
Awadein moved to Canada in 2019, three years after he became a licensed pharmacist in his home country of Egypt.
Now residing in Arnprior and working around the National Capital Region, Awadein hopped on the Renfrew prospect as soon as he heard a Shoppers Drug Mart location would be opening here in town.
Awadein adores small-town living; he enjoys forming close relationships and making a tangible impact.
He said the Shoppers team are ready to make a big local impact once doors are open to the public.
One of the big objectives is to provide a wider range of healthcare services to a new population area.
These services include A1C testing, treating of minor ailments, providing travel clinics, administering vaccines and cholesterol testing.
Having a new spot for quick check-ups is a big step for healthcare accessibility in Renfrew.
It’s not just pharmaceuticals, Shoppers Drug Mart is also bringing in a large variety of cosmetic products.
Awadein also said the location in Renfrew saves time locals might spend commuting into a different community for a service and opens the door to those who may not be able to commute at all.
This Shoppers is not a 24-hour location, but with the 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. operating window, Awadein and his team will be there for any late-night inquiries.
The sign was just put up yesterday (March 11)
The grand opening is set for Friday, March 20.
Looking forward Awadein is very optimistic about providing a new avenue of healthcare services for the people in and around Renfrew.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
