The Austin Cashwise Pharmacy closed last week, leaving customers to decide where they will now go to get their prescriptions filled.

Coborn's Inc., which owns Cashwise Foods, decided to close the pharmacy because it wasn't meeting company projections, said Sue Mackert, Coborn's spokeswoman.

"It was an economical decision," she said.

Customers received a letter about the closing, which also said their prescriptions would be transferred to Target, Mackert said. When people call the Cashwise pharmacy number, it goes to the Target pharmacy.

Target of Austin bought Cashwise's pharmacy files, so Cashwise customers would still have pharmacy service at a nearby location.

"It's a seamless transition to the customer," said Paul Swan, Target's pharmacy director. "All pharmacy services are continued."

Coborn decided to sell to Target because it seemed to meet the needs of the customers, Mackert said.

Swan said customers from Cashwise are now using the Target pharmacy, but he was not sure how many.

"There have been quite a few people that even have been surprised that it closed," Swan said. "They might be calling Cashwise and they're surprised to get Target."

But Swan said they will "get the good friendly service and quick service" at Target.

Other pharmacies in town have offered promotions to persuade Cashwise customers to switch their prescriptions to their store.

Medicap Pharmacy has published advertisements offering anyone switching pharmacies $10 off any over-the-counter item in the store. Jon Engelhardt, owner and pharmacist, said some new customers used to go to Cashwise, but he did not know if that was a direct result of advertising.

"Some of them were pre-emptive and some of them just found out," Engelhardt said.

Kmart pharmacists also have noticed Cashwise customers have started using its pharmacy.

Kmart Pharmacist Chris Dornack said there have been "a few people. They probably get dispersed out all over," he said.

One full-time Cashwise pharmacist and one part-time technician worked at the pharmacy and were offered other jobs in the company, but declined, Mackert said. Two other full-time workers in the pharmacy accepted positions in the company, she said.

Austin Cashwise managers declined to comment on the closure and referred questions to Mackert.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com