Join me in welcoming Joseph LaSala, proprietor of one of our newest entries in the drug store arena, A.J.’s Village Chemist in Middle Village. A.J’s arrives on the drug store scene with a desire to give personalized service to their customers. Joseph LaSala is quick to tell you that he cares about his customers and he’s not just “the guy behind the counter,” as we’ve come to experience when we go to the big box chain drug stores. Joe is visible in his store, greeting his customers, discussing medications, making suggestions and he’s ready to answer questions. He is a hands-on pharmacist in a world of automated service and brings back the mom and pop days of pharmacy and the much welcomed meaning for personalized “customer service.”
Joseph grew up in Ridgewood and felt he wanted to stay in the area and give back to the community where he was raised. He opened his pharmacy in the heart of Middle Village, easily accessible to all the area residents. He also speaks fluent Italian, which is a definite plus because of the large number of Italian-American residents.
Joe LaSala graduated from Long Island University in Brooklyn in 2003 as a Doctor of Pharmacology. He decided to become a pharmacist because he wanted to help people, particularly the elderly, in our community. I asked him what he could offer his customers that is sorely missing in the chain drug stores. He feels his main strength is customer service – a one-on-one relationship with his customers, something not experienced in the factory-like conditions of chain drug stores. He knows many of his customers by name and he is familiar with their ailments and prescription needs. His customers feel more comfortable dealing with him face to face when they have questions about a new medication. His prior experience working for a chain drug store reinforced his desire to be more involved in dealing with customers on a personal level, and so he decided to open his own business so that he could provide that personalized service.
After years of schooling, Dr. LaSala is pleased and proud to be here, giving back and helping his neighbors. A.J.’s Village chemist is located at 74-05 Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village. The store is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The telephone number is (718) 894-9000. A.J. Village Chemist offers free pick-up and delivery service with curbside assistance.
Please visit A.J.’s and say hello to Dr. Joseph LaSala. He and his warm and friendly staff will welcome you gladly and they are always ready to help you with your medical needs.
