A little over two years ago Arrowhead Pharmacy in Grand Marais was sold to Nikki and Derek Engelhaupt and two other couples. In the sale the other couples were the larger shareholders and in turn stood to make the highest profit. Nikki and Derek on the other hand were the ones that would end up doing all the hard work. To make an extremely long story short, mutual respect was never reached between the partners and as a result Nikki was forced to step down.
Respect seemed to be a common problem with the other partners. Many of the employees were branded as incompetent and liars, me being one of them. I was thought of as so insignificant that after working with one of the other owners for weeks, the individual didn’t even give me the respect of learning my name. Mind you, I wore a nametag. My name is Lesli, not Lindsay.
I have to be honest; the switchover from the previous owners to the Engelhaupts was really rough. I told Nikki later that I had given them two weeks and if it didn’t get better I was going to quit. Luckily it got better. Thanks to Nikki and Derek’s hard work and dedication, and patience on everyone’s part we made it through. I don’t know if I have ever said it out loud, but sticking with them was one the best decisions I’ve made. Not only did I end up with one of the best jobs in town, I gained a friend.
Nikki was not only an insanely hard worker; she also did her best to help people.
Her patients and giving the best prices she could always came before money. I can’t count how many times she gave up making a profit so a patient could afford their medication. I don’t know many business owners that would do the same. Now, because of these “changes” our community is not only losing a great pharmacist, we are losing a good family. It’s sad to know that money has overshadowed dedication and hard work, and once again the little guy loses.
I’m going to miss the Engelhaupts and even though I know they will do fine wherever they end up, I’m wishing them luck anyway. I’m standing by them to the point of walking away from the job that I grew to love, but it isn’t the same job without them.
I love you guys.
Lesli Higgins Grand Marais
Leave a Reply