One of the Binghamton area's few remaining independent pharmacies is going out of business.

The Pharmacy at 711 Main Street in the Westover section of the town of Union is closing its doors Friday.

Larry Bailey, the owner of the business, said he sent a letter to about 2,000 customers informing them of the move.

In his message, he wrote: "We fought very hard, and for a long time, to remain open and not become just another independent pharmacy forced out of business." But with decreasing insurance reimbursements and declining prescription volume, it "finally reached the point where it is impossible to continue."

Bailey said "the writing was on the wall a few years ago" He said the business hadn't been profitable since the massive flooding that occurred in September 2011.

Bailey said many customers who stopped in Friday were crying and "heartbroken" by the news. He said he had been receiving "a lot of love" from people who wished him well.

The Pharmacy had been located on Broad Street in Johnson City for nearly three decades. The business moved to its current location at the corner of Main Street and Oakdale Road in 2006.

Bailey said he has accepted a position at the UHS retail pharmacy near Wilson Medical Center. He plans to start working there in the next few weeks.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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