DOWAGIAC — Bhavesh Patel is all for the small-town atmosphere.

The pharmacist, who owns eight independent pharmacies, is adding to the list after planning to open Dowagiac Pharmacy at 124 S. Front St. early next week.

For Patel, who operates pharmacies in Athens, Elk Rapids, Morenci, Sturgis, Union City, Bear Lake and Watervliet, bringing a pharmacy to Dowagiac was an easy decision.

Upon researching the town, he noticed the area had a lack of independent pharmacies.

“Most of my pharmacies are in small towns,” he said. “That’s why I decided to go with Dowagiac, knowing they didn’t have a pharmacy there.”

Patel completed a master’s degree in industrial pharmacy in 2007, after successful completion of his pharmacist license exam. He has experience working at chain pharmacies like Rite Aid and Walgreens. He also has worked at a Walmart Pharmacy in Battle Creek.

His entrance into owning independent pharmacies began in 2012, when he opened Family Pharmacy in South Carolina.

Patel, a Kalamazoo resident, spends much of his time driving around the state to visit each of his respective pharmacies at least once a week.

Patel first showed interest in opening a Dowagiac pharmacy in June after The Main Attraction announced its relocation. A lease was signed in September, with renovations of the space beginning in October. Patel said most renovations happened on the inside of the building, including painting.

The pharmacy will provide similar services to chain pharmacies with a more independent atmosphere. The pharmacy will offer a range of prescriptions and over the counter services, Patel said.

To make medications more accessible to elders and working families, the pharmacy will offer a free delivery service to its customers within Dowagiac city limits, Patel said.

To start off, the pharmacy will employ one pharmacist and one technician. As they grow, Patel would like to add more technicians, a cashier and an additional pharmacist.

Throughout the pharmacy’s opening stages, Patel plans to spend time on the pharmacy’s marketing, alongside another marketing employee. As an owner, he makes an effort to engage with the communities he opens his pharmacies in, he said.

Overall, he does not know what to expect until the pharmacy’s doors officially open, but he hopes the customer service will be a priority.

“Chain stores are really crazy nowadays, and the pharmacies do not have the time to provide better customer service to the customer,” Patel said. “At an independent pharmacy, we know the customer very well, by their name, and we can actually provide a better service. A small town does need those services.”