If you’re ever looking to find the epitome of a one stop shop in a regional town, Spring Ridge might just be the place to go. Harvest Spring Ridge has become an absolute hub, not just in terms of providing shopping, medicine and other vital goods and services to the tiny township, but also as a central pillar for community wellbeing.
Pharmacist and owner, Chloe Kay, and her partner Andrew Mills, bought the shopfront in June 2022, with the pharmacy section opening in January 2023.
“I had been the pharmacist in Coonabarabran for a number of years, but then we had our first child and I just couldn’t justify the one hour each way drive for work every day so Andrew and I started thinking about options for how we could open our own store,” said Ms Kay.
“The general store and post office building was really the only option and it was pretty run down but we knew we could make it work.”
And indeed, they have made it work. Fast-forward to now and Ms Kay is now successfully, single-handedly running the post office, general store and pharmacy, while Mr Mills keeps a handle on their family cattle and crop property.
“We’re the only retail outlet in town. Spring Ridge is a really small community, there’s only about 300 people but I’ve pretty much gotten to know them all now and it’s been a really rewarding experience,” said Ms Kay.
Ms Kay has two other staff members that come in and help her on various days during the week but now has the shop looking very much improved, offering new things to the community such as gift wares, sustainable living products, pharmaceutical products and medicine and baked goods.
One of the most important introductions by far however is without a doubt the introduction of a monthly visiting doctor to the town.
Prior to the commencement of this program, Spring Ridge hadn’t had a doctor in town for over 30 years, forcing residents to drive up to an hour away to either Quirindi or Gunnedah.
Dr Owen Boyd, now practices once a month out of a private office attached to the pharmacy. Once locals have seen Dr Boyd once in rooms, they are also able to access follow up telehealth appointments with him to stay on top of their health needs.
Their efforts have since been recognised at this year’s Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards, where Ms Kay and Dr Boyd took home the Primary Care Innovation Award for their collaboration in the Better Health for the Bush Small Town Engagement Model.
Ms Kay has seen what a huge success this has been for the community and is now ready to take the next steps in offering an even more comprehensive health hub for the town.
“Because we had our second child late last year, we’ve sort of just been letting the business grow organically but now bub is a bit older I’m really ready to start growing the pharmacy and health care side of things for the community,” said Ms Kay.
“The air-conditioned office that Dr Boyd uses once a month is perfect for use by other allied health providers and health professionals so I’m just about to put an expression of interest out to see if we can get some other specialists in to town for locals to be able to utilise.”
Outside of this the shop is also offering other community activities and events like cupcake decorating classes, afternoon play sessions for the town’s kids and a street library.
Ms Kay takes this busy lifestyle and big dreams all in her stride saying that it’s the community and her family that keeps her motivated.
“I have to say a big thank you to my partner Andrew – we’re a great team and we really managed to balance each other out and make this crazy busy lifestyle of ours work.”
“Really, it’s the people of Spring Ridge that make the business work, we wouldn’t be successful without them and their support. If I can support the people that support me then I’m happy.”
Harvest Spring Ridge Pharmacy was voted by New England Times readers as the Best Pharmacy in the New England 2024.
See the other winners and more details about this promotion.