With two good looking, eager beaver children ready to help at a moments notice; it was an easy decision for Terri and Chris Goettl to become partners in the Arrowhead Pharmacy business when the opportunity presented itself. Smiling broadly with their parents behind them are Luke, age 10, and Leo, age 15.
Chris and Terri Goettl will soon partner with Mike and Laurie Schwartzwald of Brainerd, Minnesota as co-owners of Arrowhead Pharmacy in Grand Marais.
“We will take over day-to-day operations of the pharmacy on December 1,” said Chris Goettl, who will manage the business.
Current customers will see Chris Goettl in the store earlier, however, as he transitions out of his position as human resources manager at Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior and begins to learn the ropes at Arrowhead.
As for Terri Goettl, who has been employed at the pharmacy for the last five years, she will continue with her current duties as a nationally certified pharmacy technician.
“I don’t plan on making any changes to my job other than to be on the floor more to make sure customers are getting what they need. Both Chris and I want to make sure the customers are getting taken care of,” Terri said.
Terri Goettl, a graduate of Hermantown High School, said she has always been interested in the health care field. “I was a physical therapist assistant in Duluth for 10 years before moving to the area 10 years ago.” Terri said.
As for Chris Goettl, he grew up in Lutsen and attended kindergarten through 6th grade at Birch Grove Elementary. He graduated from Cook County High School in1983.
“I’ve managed four different businesses and we owned and operated one business,” Chris said.
Between work and two school-age kids, the couple stay busy. Chris has been a volunteer baseball and football coach for 10 years, and both Terri and Chris serve on the Cook County High School Booster Club board of directors.
As for the kids, Leo is a 9th grader who plays football, basketball, high school baseball and American Legion baseball. Luke is a very active 6th grader who plays tennis, basketball, and Little League baseball, log rolls and performs in plays.
Not much will change at the pharmacy, at least at first, said Terri.
“Things come up, so eventually some changes will occur. But for now we want people to know that we are a hard-working couple who want to continue to support the area and get and give people what they need—the best possible health care at the best possible price.”
While they don’t advertise it, Arrowhead Pharmacy has a long track record of giving to community events and organizations, and both Chris and Terri said that record will continue.
“Annually the pharmacy donates $5,000 back to the community. We are big believers of paying forward,” Chris said.
Some of the groups that have received donations include the North Shore Music Association, North House Folk School, Grand Marais Lions Club, CCHS Booster Club, Cook County Food Shelf, Cook County Curling Club, North Shore Hospital Foundation, veterans clubs, and various snowmobile clubs. Gifts and money have also been given for special events and celebrations from Schroeder to Grand Portage and in between.
“We have 11 awesome employees who combined have 10 kids and four grandkids that attend public schools here in county. All of us at the pharmacy support the many fine aspects of the community and enjoy living here,” Terri Goettl said.
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