It took some red tape to finally cut the red ribbon on their American dream.
But pharmacists Benjamin and Ester Yunis, originally from Tajikistan in the former Soviet Union, finally did it with an official opening ceremony for their Bronx pharmacy and surgical supply store.
They opened the Allerton neighborhood store in January, but Yunis said it took all this time for him to work through the red tape and pharmacy licensing requirements.
“Ever since I went to pharmacy school, I’ve dreamed of opening my own pharmacy,” Yunis said of the couple’s new store at 989 Allerton Avenue at Paulding Avenue.
He most recently worked at a neighborhood Rite-Aid.
“A man can’t stand up if a wife is not behind him,” said Yunis, 31.
The couple was joined by a host of local community businessmen and leaders to cut the traditional red ribbon outside the store on Thursday, April 26, as customers received free health screenings, something Yunis said he plans to offer on special days, as well as discounts on 30- and 90-day prescription medicine.
The store, open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
“Sundays are family days – for us,” he joked.
