By Kelly Nicholaides
Walk into the independently owned City Pharmacy of Kearny, and the marbled floors, sleek shelves, couch seating, and streamlined counters reflect a modern twist on a classic physician’s office.
Former barista and budding pharmacy tech Alan Sambrano checks the stock on a laptop. He says Mondays are usually busiest for pharmacies, coinciding with doctor appointments.Owner and pharmacist Hisham “Ziggy” Gharib, 38, an Egyptian-American raised in Wallington, prides his new business on personalized service, good pricing, and homeopathic medications. “At big chain pharmacies, you go wait in line for a dropoff/pickup or drive-through services. We know patients by name. CVS operates on growth. We focus on service,” Gharib says. “It feels like you’re not a healthcare professional without customizing service. I enjoy talking to people and providing solutions. If your prescription is not covered by your insurance, I’ll make calls to find manufacturers’ coupons. I’ll contact your doctor and insurance to figure out what’s covered and find alternatives.”
City Pharmacy of Kearny products run the gamut from bandages and bunion cushions to bodywashes, creams, pain relievers, vitamins, and everything in between. Gharib only takes 30 cents on the dollar for profit, keeping prices competitive, and complementing pharmaceuticals with supplements galore.
“Medicines are made in the natural world, so there has to be a connection,” he says. Born in the United States, Gharib went to Egypt for eight years in 2002 to earn his pharmacist credential at ASU in Cairo and spend time with his retired father. He comes from a family of medical professionals: pharmacist siblings and a dentist wife. Gharib returned to New Jersey in 2010 and worked as a pharmacy tech at CVS chains, where he became disillusioned.
“There was no patient care. It’s all about the number of prescriptions filled in a short time and how the pharmacy can save money,” Gharib reflects. “I was overwhelmed with 700-800 prescriptions a day. I became a pharmacist to help people lead healthy lives. But at the time, CVS, Walgreens, and Duane Reade also sold cigarettes.”
The comeback for independent pharmacies is buoyed by major chains downsizing, as NimbleRx notes that “2025 is the year for independent pharmacies to expand their role in healthcare” by leveraging their agility and community focus. The National Community Pharmacists Association estimates 18,900 independent pharmacies, representing about 35% of all pharmacies in the United States.
Turnover, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements, and a host of other variables will continue to pose challenges for these mom-and-pops. In addition to prescription consultations and related services, City Pharmacy of Kearny offers vaccines, including flu, COVID-19, Tdap, shingles, RSV, and more. It joins other locally owned pharmacies, including Midtown Pharmacy and Arlington Pharmacy.