Munson Sells Five Retail Pharmacies To HomeTown Pharmacy

Michigan hospital systems are under considerable financial stress and most are shedding their less profitable operations:

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HomeTown Pharmacy and Munson Healthcare Announce Ownership Transition of Five Retail Pharmacies in Northwest Michigan

February 12, 2025

New Era, Michigan based pharmacy to keep the same staff and locations.

HomeTown Pharmacy, a Michigan-based, family-owned company, is pleased to announce it will be taking ownership of five retail pharmacies in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties from Munson Healthcare.

With 30 locations statewide, including Honor, Suttons Bay and Traverse City, HomeTown Pharmacy will take ownership (effective February 20) of five Grand Traverse area stores previously owned and operated by Munson Healthcare, including:

• Munson Community Health Center Pharmacy (Foster Family Community Health Center)
• Sixth Street Drug (across from Munson Medical Center)
• Munson Medical Center Discharge Pharmacy (Munson Medical Center)
• Munson Suttons Bay Pharmacy (Suttons Bay)
• Munson Empire Pharmacy (Empire Community Health Center)

“We are retaining the staff and staying in the same locations so there will be little change for customers,” said Dianne Malburg, President of HomeTown Pharmacy. “We are committed to serving these communities and our goal is to build on the success of these pharmacies and grow together.”

Munson Healthcare and HomeTown Pharmacy enter this sale with a strong professional relationship and history. HomeTown is already a trusted provider of long-term care pharmacy services to several Munson-owned and operated affiliates which expanded to two additional nursing facilities this past year.

“Our core strength as a health system is on the inpatient side of pharmacy but we entered the retail pharmacy space to help stabilize these locations and ensure continued access to our community – this is truly Hometown’s expertise,” said Kathy LaRaia, Munson Healthcare Vice President of Oncology and Professional Services. “HomeTown’s reputation as a Michigan-based, trusted local pharmacy, committed to the people they serve will make this a successful and seamless transition.”

What This Means for Customers

Patients will continue to visit the same locations, call the same phone numbers, and receive high-quality care from the same pharmacy staff they know and trust.  All prescriptions and refills will transfer seamlessly, with no further action needed from customers. HomeTown Pharmacy accepts most major insurance plans ensuring continued affordability and convenience. Patient information will be handled with the utmost care and security, with health records remaining private and no changes in how personal medical information is maintained.

A Commitment to Community and Growth

HomeTown Pharmacy’s commitment to community engagement and personalized service has been a driving force behind this expansion. By integrating these new locations, HomeTown Pharmacy is strengthening its ability to provide exceptional care while continuing to support the communities it serves.

“This is an exciting step forward in our mission to provide accessible, high-quality pharmacy care across Michigan,” said Fred Grice, Chief Executive Officer of HomeTown Pharmacy. “We are delighted to welcome these locations and their talented teams into the HomeTown Pharmacy family. Our goal is to ensure a seamless transition while enhancing services for our customers.”

The leadership team at HomeTown Pharmacy remains committed to upholding their long-standing values of quality, integrity, and customer-first service. The addition of these locations further enhances Hometown’s ability to provide personalized care, expanded offerings, and the exceptional service our patients have come to trust.

Looking Ahead

By expanding its footprint in Northwest Michigan, HomeTown Pharmacy aims to build stronger relationships with local communities while ensuring that customers continue to have access to the best possible care. Future plans include offering more clinical services and improving patient access to vital medications and wellness programs.

As HomeTown Pharmacy continues to grow, its core mission remains the same, providing the highest level of care with a focus on customer satisfaction and community well-being. With a solid foundation and a commitment to innovation, HomeTown Pharmacy looks forward to serving its expanded customer base with the same dedication and expertise that has defined its success for over three decades.

About HomeTown Pharmacy, Inc.

As second-generation pharmacists, Tim and Fred Grice, Jr. started out working for a national drug store chain upon graduation from college. They each moved on to purchase their own independent pharmacy, with the help and support of their father. Both brothers came to realize the necessity of growth for future survival and the importance of patient-driven, community pharmacy.

In 1996, after much planning, they purchased Gobles Pharmacy in Gobles, Michigan, and thus HomeTown Pharmacy was born. Today, HomeTown Pharmacy operates several divisions across the states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, including infusion services, compounding, long-term care, and retail pharmacies.

HomeTown Pharmacy remains steadfast in its mission to be the best community pharmacy provider in the U.S., committed to its patients and teammates, dedicated to the profession, pharmacist-operated, and independently owned. The Company’s commitment to delivering personalized, community-focused care while pursuing opportunities for strategic growth has allowed it to advance its legacy and embrace the ever-changing healthcare industry with confidence.

For more information about HomeTown Pharmacy, its services, and the recent acquisition, please visit www.hometownpharmacy.com or contact your local HomeTown Pharmacy.

About Munson Healthcare:

A non-profit rated among Fortune Magazine’s Top 15 Health Systems in America, Munson Healthcare is the largest and leading healthcare system in Northern Michigan. Based in Traverse City, Mich., our team of medical experts, eight award-winning community hospitals, and ambulatory facilities serve more than a half-million people across 29 counties. Munson’s 8,000 dedicated team members ensure patients can receive comprehensive quality care in or near their local community with the Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center, Webber Heart Center, Cowell Family Cancer Center, Munson Neurosciences, and Munson Orthopedic Institute located in Traverse City. The residents of our region further benefit from Munson’s collaborative partnerships with major healthcare systems, including Mayo Clinic, Michigan Medicine, Corewell Health, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Established in 1915, Munson Healthcare is committed to serving the people of this region with exceptional care for the next 100 years.