NILES — Niles Wellcare Pharmacy celebrated one year of business in March. Looking back on a year serving customers, business owner Sandip Patel said he is excited to have reached the milestone and looks forward to continued growth.

To celebrate one year of business, Patel said the full-service pharmacy will offer discounts throughout the week of May 7, on all items except prescriptions. On May 7, there will be a 25 percent discount on all items, except prescriptions and dollar items. That same day there will be a raffle and customers who enter can win a prize. The rest of the week, those same items will be 20 percent off.

When Patel opened the independent pharmacy last year at 70 E. Main St., his goal was to do more than provide customers with access to their prescription medication.  Serving a city where large parts are rural and transportation access is limited, he wanted to make sure those who needed their medicine would not have to figure out how to get a ride. Through delivery services, Patel said he was able to accomplish this and it has been a popular feature of the business.

“There are a lot of seniors who don’t have transportation or they are disabled,” Patel said.

Patel said he also offers delivery services to those in other nearby cities on an emergency basis. The service is free to customers in Niles and Buchanan.

Patel credited part of his businesses growth not only the support from the community, but also from local doctors and pharmacies that work with him on a daily basis to accomplish the same goal of providing people with their medicine.

“The community has helped us a lot by trusting us and the doctors around here have helped us,” Patel said.

Patel said on average he now serves about 50 customers a day. To keep up with the growing customer basis, Patel hired one additional full-time pharmacy technician, Jay Batchelor.

Batchelor said she has enjoyed being part of downtown Niles business growth.

“I remember when the downtown had a brick road,” Batchelor said. “Watching it come from what it was to now … it’s like you have the downtown coming together.”

Patel’s business progress at the Niles store influenced him to open a second location in Three Rivers. The business, Three Rivers Pharmacy, opened in January and is run by Sunil Patel. An additional full-time pharmacy technician was also hired to help operate the new location.

In addition to prescription medications for people, residents can also pick up their pet medications. Other merchandise includes four different lines of vitamins, over the counter medicines and medical supplies, such as canes and braces. Snacks and dollar items are also sold.

The business also offers price matches on prescriptions. Patel also said he makes a phone line available to customers for emergency services.

Prior to owning his own business, Patel accrued more than 10 years of experience working in the industry. He served the Buchanan Rite Aide and the Niles Walmart before opening his store.

Patel, of Granger, has lived in the Michiana area for 11 years. He was born in Unjha, India in the state Guirat. His older sister was studying to be a pharmacist and it influenced him to follow the same career path. At the age of 22, he moved to London to get an education in pharmaceutical studies. Patel said job opportunities drew him to serve the communities of southwest Michigan.

Looking to the future, Patel said he wants to focus even more on customer service and continue to grow the business. He hopes to open a third location within the next two years.

Niles Wellcare Pharmacy is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The business phone number and emergency line during off hours is (269) 262-4343.