Keeping Congress Park Healthy, One Family at a Time
Kristin is a graduate of the University of Colorado Pharmacy School.
Pharmacy and Store: (303) 388-3679
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/qmjPwG5errT2
Where did you grow up?
Phoenix, Arizona.
What brought you to Denver?
Tired of the heat! We wanted to live where we could ski, camp, hike, etc. My husband Chris and I have been in Colorado for 8 years now. Our son Kyle is two-years old.
Where did you go to Pharmacy school?
The University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
What caught your interest in the Capitol Heights Pharmacy and Liquor?
We saw so much untapped potential in a great community. So many hospitals, doctors’ offices, and potential patients right here. Our neighbors love to support local businesses. The pharmacy needed a pharmacist back in charge to improve our customers’ lives – it had been lost in a sea of liquor and wine. Such a unique and complementary business in a wonderful neighborhood—we just couldn’t resist the opportunity.
How does your husband Chris lend a hand?
He’s a business guy—MBA from DU—so he’s very helpful in the bookkeeping and financials area. And that’s still mostly where he helps out—analyzing financial figures and helping set goals and new initiatives—mostly in the liquor store portion. It’s all my show in the pharmacy, and I am the day-to-day manager. We joke that Chris is mostly in charge of quality control for the liquor. You know, lots of rigorous sampling!
The store carries a wide variety of wine and spirits, including the popular Locations series.
What’s fun about running Capitol Heights Pharmacy and Liquor?
I love the people I get to work with everyday. I love my customers and patients. I love the community. My favorite thing is getting to know so many people from the community. I learn so much about their lives and have such a rapport that I get excited to see who stops in each day. We are able to laugh and joke!
I think I have the best pharmacist job in the city. Other pharmacists are so over-worked and beaten down every day and I don’t experience any of that. My patients don’t get angry. They know we are working hard for them and doing everything we can to help them be well.
You offer delivery, right?
Yes, customers simply need to ask us for this. We charge $5 for the service, which is same day or next day.
What have been the surprises in running your business?
Well there have been plenty of surprises, both good and bad. It was hard at the beginning…I knew it would be hard, but didn’t realize how hard. But now probably the biggest surprise is how much this community has truly embraced the changes we have made. We had hoped this would be the case but just weren’t sure if some of the negatives in the past had driven people away. But this community has really opened its arms to us.
What’s new at the pharmacy?
We’re now doing most vaccines. You’ll save time and money. We’ve always done flu shots and now we offer most travel vaccines as well as things like shingles, pneumonia, and whooping cough vaccines.
What I like is, you get your vaccines in a relaxed, friendly place. And it’s so convenient – right around the corner.
Exactly. We like helping our patients stay healthy and save time and money.
Husband Chris, son Kyle and Kristin and with pup Zephyr.
How do you help your pharmacy customers in ways that chain pharmacies can’t?
Our size is our advantage. We know your name! Our technician, Justin, grew up in the neighborhood and I swear he knows everyone! We care about your health and how we can help you manage your medications. You can walk up and talk to us at anytime and we will remember you and treat you like our family. We deliver medications, special order products, and can handle your vaccination needs all right here in Congress Park. We can identify which vaccines you need and just give them as well as bill your insurance. Super easy.
How do you and your husband balance having kids and a business that’s open for the community all week?
Oh my gosh, I’ve done a lot of jobs but being a mom is by far the hardest one! For his first year and a half, I worked part time, so I could be with him. Last year, we moved into a house in the neighborhood and found a daycare within walking distance. It’s all been great! So we just tackle problems day by day just like any other family trying to raise little ones with both parents working. It’s definitely a juggling act but we were really meant to juggle.
What advice do you have for people who are thinking about starting their own businesses?
Get a mentor! I wish I had done more of this.
What else do you think people are interested in knowing about you and your family?
We are pretty boring really! We work hard, have great fun when we can and enjoy our little guy.