Management cites difficulty recruiting staff

BRIDGEPORT -- Scott Linders has served as the pharmacist for 18 of the Sonny's Pharmacy's 34 years serving the community.

He was recently offered another opportunity, and the pharmacy is closing.

"I've been the head pharmacist at Sonny's for the last 18 years. I live in Bridgeport. When my children were small, I had the opportunity to work here instead of commuting from Scottsbluff. It's been a great 18 years raising the family here in. Bridgeport. I'm very sad to be leaving," Linders said.

He said he has enjoyed serving the community, but the real blessing is in the relationships gained. The decision didn't come easy, he added.

"It was a very difficult decision. There are very few relief pharmacists in the area right now. Working six days a week, I had an opportunity to go work with another team at another pharmacy where I wouldn't be the only pharmacist, and be able to enjoy spending time with my family," Linders said.

He looks back at his time meeting the people of Bridgeport, filling their  pharmaceutical needs and experiencing the community.

"It's been wonderful, building a business up here. I think the main thing is just meeting the people and not only having customers but friendships that I have made," he said.

He said some of the conversations have been deep, soul-wrenching discussions about losing loved-ones and the memories of those who have died. 

"We've talked to people about losing loved-ones, talked about memories of loved-ones. I've had people bring in meat, homemade foods ... just all kinds of things of a small town. It's just been phenomenal. Filling the prescriptions and everything, doing the business is great, but it's the relationships that I feel is the most important that I've made," he said.

The Sonny's Super Foods Team said in a written statement the pharmacy is permanently closing today, February 28.