SEYMOUR – Seybridge Pharmacy Jewelry & Gifts, in the community since 1986 at 37 New Haven Road, is scheduled to close its doors on Saturday (May 17).
The looming closure is happening just one year after the store’s original owners, Peter and Doreen Przybylsk, sold the business to Tejal and Harsh Patel, of New York.
Seymour Facebook community pages have had numerous posts in recent weeks from people complaining about customer service and other problems with the business, including issues delivering medication to customers’ houses
Longtime customers said they would go elsewhere. The former owners also posted to the Facebook comment threads, saying they had tried to help the new owners.
On May 14 an employee at Seybridge who wished to remain anonymous told The Valley Indy that the complaints online were accurate. The business was poorly managed, new staffers weren’t trained properly, staff turnover was high, and the new owners didn’t intervene until it was too late.
A sign on the pharmacy’s window said existing prescriptions will be handled by Hancock Pharmacy, 95 Wakelee Ave. in Ansonia. That pharmacy is across the street from The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital. The phone number for Hancock Pharmacy is 203-734-8900.
The Patels sent The Valley Indy a statement saying owning and operating the business from out-of-state proved too challenging.
“Owning and operating this pharmacy from out of state presented challenges we hadn’t fully anticipated, and unfortunately, there were multiple factors that didn’t align in our favor. However, what we take with us are not just the lessons—but the heartfelt experiences. The support and kindness from our customers meant the world to us. For that, we are truly grateful,” the owners wrote.
Seybridge Pharmacy Jewelry & Gifts is within Seybridge Plaza.
Other tenants include Dunkin Donuts, Hot Tamale Mexican Grill & Bar, Rejoice Dispensary, and Seymour Veterinary Hospital.
Plaza owner Joe Nesteriak said he is hoping to get another independent pharmacist into the Seybridge storefront.
“I have several people right now interested,” Nesteriak said. “I’m only talking to independent pharmacists, so I’m hopeful we can have an independent pharmacy continue there.”