Today it’s still a small town, and accordingly Cates is the kind of place where locals drop by for medicine, to buy shampoo, or have a chat with the folk behind the counter. “Our customers feel close to us,” says co-owner Shahzad Mirsaeidi. “And we have a great range of friends who visit us daily, from kids and young families to seniors.”
There’s a singular method to the way Bud and Shahzad operate. “Attention to detail no matter what customers want from us,” the latter says. “That’s one big advantage of being a small business in a small town: we have the luxury of time to devote to everyone who visits us.”
In 2011, as demand grew and the need to maintain exceptional service to clients, Bud and Shahzad brought on Simin. Formerly a Pharmacist in Sweden, Simin brought with her a great deal of energy and expertise which only added to the warm and personable service received by Cates' customers.
“Our customers keep stating something that summarizes the products we stock,” says Shahzad. “They tell us, `You have a bit of everything’. It’s true, and we pride ourselves in our selection of goods.”
With the perpetual goal of not forcing locals to ferry to the mainland for supplies, Cates is also adept at sourcing products that may not be available in-store. “We order goods through various companies – and from UniPHARM, of course – and some items arrive just a day after they have been requested,” says Shahzad. “It’s part of our overall mission to provide customers with a personalized pharmacy experience.”
