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Change is good, but change can also be hard. News coming out of the pharmacy world this week contained both.

On Thursday, it was announced that Sterling Pharmacy has purchased Medicap Pharmacy and sometime in 2025 will consolidate at the Medicap location. Along the way there will be improvements and additions, including the planned development of an automated dispensing system.

Both pharmacies have served Austin and the area faithfully over several years and in letters from both Medicap and Sterling, both businesses are anticipating benefits to come from the new situation.

At the same time, however, it was sadly announced that in 2025, Sterling Main Street would be closing, citing online stores and sales as making the gift and toy businesses financially untenable.

Sterling Main Street has been a wonderful piece of Austin’s business community and has been the stop for many looking for just the right gift or piece of home decor.

Yes, the reasons Sterling gave for the closure makes sense from a strictly business perspective,  but it remains an unfortunate development, while at the same time serves as a reminder of the importance of local businesses.

Shopping online is a reality anymore and it has its place in our society, but it’s worth a reminder that small businesses are the heart of communities. These businesses drive the communities they are a part of and what’s more is these are our neighbors.

Those who own smaller businesses are just as much a part of Austin as those who shop the stores. With Sterling Main Street closing, let’s remember to continue shopping local.

Many of them are in the same situation to one degree or another. The fact of the matter is that online shopping is difficult to compete with. Prices are generally lower and there is a convenience to placing your orders and then waiting for the item to be delivered.

But by solely shopping online, you are denying the heartbeat of our community and that will have a lasting and detrimental effect on everything we have here.

Still, we can’t let this news overshadow the benefits coming from the pharmacy merger either, because it demonstrates that both Medicap and Sterling remain committed to Austin.

As stated in a letter to patients: Sterling is “committed to creating a model of pharmacist-centered care that ensures long-term access to prescription medications and pharmacists’ services across rural Minnesota and beyond. As we reinvent ourselves, we are making some exciting yet difficult changes.”

All of this together again marks the contradictions arising from change, but it can also demonstrates commitment and not to take our small businesses for granted.