Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year’s. With COVID-19 issues affecting everyone’s plans once again, my family played it low-key for New Year’s Eve. So low-key we were asleep before the ball dropped! We do, however, have a new New Year’s Day tradition that started last year thanks to the virus.

My two children, Arlo and Tillie (Ozzie’s 7th generation!), used to visit the store on an almost weekly basis before March of 2020. With so few visits to the store throughout 2020, we thought we’d let them visit the store on New Year’s Day 2021 when the store was closed so they could have the run of the place. We did that once again this New Year’s Day.

I let them each pick out a piece of candy and a toy. Tillie went with a classic and picked out a Ty Beanie Baby. Arlo picked out a newer plush line, Eco Nation. Arlo’s Eco Nation pick was a stuffed animal panda made out of recycled water bottles. My wife Jenna also found a few essentials for the home and some Christmas closeout goodies. I just ended up working and stocking some over-the-counter drug orders. I’d say the wife and kids made out better than me!

Christmas in January

With the holidays behind us and a new year ahead, it’s time to focus on what’s up and coming! Sadly, though, for our gift buyer Kathy and me… As you’re all escaping Christmas & the holidays, it’s time for us to start placing Christmas 2022 orders, if you can believe that. Beyond Christmas 2022, we have other exciting things to focus on. With Valentine’s Day coming up next month, we already have a great selection of candy and greeting cards available.

Starting Friday, January 7th we also have two sales kicking off—Christmas at 75% off and our annual January 20% off puzzle sale! Pick up any remaining Christmas items at our deepest discount in preparation for Christmas 2022 and stock up on puzzles for yourself, family, or friends! This is our third year holding the 20% off puzzle sale to celebrate national puzzle month. As one of the largest brick-and-mortar jigsaw puzzle retailers in the area, we love to celebrate anything puzzles.

COVID Testing News

One item everyone is having trouble keeping in stock is at-home COVID-19 tests. I ordered a case in early December and they sold very slowly, leading me to believe it wouldn’t be a very in-demand item. With the arrival of the Omicron variant, however, things definitely took a turn. I went from wondering how long they’d sit at the pharmacy, to scrambling to order more. I’ve found some terrific vendors who were able to ship tests overnight on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to supply our customers.

While the demand for these tests is just one more sign of the pandemic dragging on, we’re grateful these tests can help our community keep track of the virus in the convenience of their own homes. We’re doing all we can to keep them in stock on a regular basis.

An important reminder, these at-home antigen tests are much more accurate when you’re symptomatic, but not as good at detecting asymptomatic cases. If you’ve been in contact with someone COVID-19 positive, and you’re asymptomatic, it’s still best to get a PCR test. If you have symptoms, at-home tests are a great option.

Whether it’s stopping by to pick up an at-home COVID test kit, or stocking up on discounted puzzles for the cold months ahead, I hope to see you at the pharmacy soon! ℞