A NEW business set to open in Buronga is aiming to revamp the pharmacy concept.
On March 1 Stellar Pharmacy will take up residence at Buronga’s Midway Market Place, with owners Alex Elfeki and business partner Ameer Mehany looking to branch out from the typical chemist setup and instead create a high-end, high-quality, comprehensive and comfortable experience.
“We want to rebrand the pharmacy name … we want to treat everyone that comes in like royalty, but we will still keep prices affordable and will price-match,” Mr Elfeki said.
The final fittings are being completed this week, with the high-class feel stretching from the front door, with leather chairs and modern interior, to the stylish concrete pharmaceutical counters.
The shop will incorporate a mini beauty centre run by qualified beauty and cosmetic tattooist and make-up artist Louise Quinlivan, along with the pharmacy, a home decor and jewellery section and tailor-made vitamins.
Mr Elfeki said he had enlisted an Adelaide-based company to make the individualised vitamins and send them to the pharmacy.
“With osteoarthritis, for example, which is when the cartilage layer between joints has eroded, the patient would need a mixture of fish oil and other vitamins and natural products,” he said.
“So instead of the patient buying different products and spending a lot of money, we will specialise the product and tailor it based on the person’s needs.
“We’ll have three or four active ingredients and can adjust the strength of each of those based on the person.”
Ms Quinlivan, who has worked in the beauty industry for decades, will offer everything from cosmetic tattooing, professional peels and treatments to LED light treatments, dermablading and event make-up.
She said the pharmacy had secured the make-up label Runway Room by Alex Fevola, the only one in Sunraysia to do so, with an effort made to ensure all products are organic and ethical.
Ms Quinlivan said the overall idea was to make all customers leave the pharmacy knowing how to use products and feeling comfortable doing so.
“Someone can walk in off the street and tell us what issues they’re having with their skin, we’ll then sit them down, do a thorough consult, work out a plan and that can then be tailored to suit whatever they can do,” Ms Quinlivan said.
“We can do a once-off facial to relax, a series of peels – it’s all about suiting the person’s skin.”
A focus will also be put on giving back to the community, with Mr Elfeki keen to launch a number of initiatives including ensuring local teenagers – male and female – know how to look after their skin through a range of free workshops to be held at the pharmacy.
Stellar Pharmacy will operate from 9 to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to noon on Saturday.
