Q&A: The Canadian Drugstore

As Seminole Heights Patch readers voted on their favorite businesses in , a few quickly rose to the top. One of those that has really shined is .

Patch caught up with one of the store's owners ahead of the semifinals in our customer service contest, which will resume at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 28.

Name of business:

Name of owners: Daniel Downs, William Hepscher, Ben Scherlis.

In business since: Tampa location has been in business since June 2010.

How long have you lived in the area? I have lived in Seminole Heights since 2005

What do you love about living and working in our town? Seminole Heights is only 5 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown, but you would never know it. We have some of the best restaurants within 50 miles. I have the greatest neighbors you could ever ask for. Seminole Heights is a small, tight knit community hidden within an urban area.

What do you wish every person who came into your store knew about you? I really do love my job. I leave work every evening knowing that I have helped people. Whether it was aiding an individual in purchasing medication that they would otherwise not be able to afford, or helping someone's parents or grandparents navigate the sometimes confusing puzzle that is Medicare.

Tell us a quick story about a time you provided awesome customer service: Two weeks after I opened my doors I had an elderly couple come in to my office inquiring about our company and how to go about ordering medications for the husband. After speaking with the two of them for a while I learned that he was a veteran of the Korean War. I let them know that I would love to help them, but he should be receiving medication coverage from the VA. They told me that they had denied him coverage years ago and to go ahead and place the order for his medications. I did so, but let them know I was going to do a little research with their permission as to why he was not receiving the benefits that I felt he should be entitled to for his service.

The following month I called them to let them know I was sending them all of the information that was needed to have him sign up for the VA benefits. I lost a customer, but gained the friendship of two great people that I would have never met unless I had opened The Canadian Drugstore. They still send me a birthday and Christmas card every year.