By Rosemary McCoy

An independent pharmacy with a mission of offering “small-town” service opens Monday at 10th Street and Cliff Avenue.

Pharmacist Lindsey Osterkamp decided to open True Care Family Pharmacy after she lost her job when the last Kmart in Sioux Falls closed earlier this year.

“Basically, my main focus is to create what a hometown pharmacy is,” Osterkamp said. “Customer service will be a priority. It’s where you know them and they know you, and they can ask you anything.”

She wants to be an advocate for her customers, ensuring that they are getting the best treatment options from their doctors.

“I truly care about my customers. They should be cared for like they are family.”

In addition to providing guidance on medications, Osterkamp said she will help customers evaluate Medicare D plans to find the best option for the upcoming year.

The pharmacy at 1120 E. 10th St., which has a drive-thru, will be open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Osterkamp’s father owns the building, which was a former pizza restaurant, and he served as the general contractor for the remodeling.

He lives in Fort Pierre but spent five days a week here this summer, gutting the space and then turning it into a pharmacy.

“It’s really been fun to see it develop from the ground up,” Osterkamp said.

In addition to prescription medications, True Care will carry over-the-counter items and other health and beauty products such as grabbers and shampoos. Osterkamp will offer immunizations. She’s unsure if she will be able to get this season’s flu vaccine, but she’s hopeful.

Osterkamp is planning to have a grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Nov. 2, which will be True Care’s one-month anniversary.