Bill's Prescription Center remains family business in Brandon
Bill’s Prescription Center
Bill’s Prescription Center in Brandon goes back three generations and it not that much different than the original store. FOX 13’s Russell Rhodes reports.
BRANDON, Fla. - Bill's Prescription Center continues operating as a multi-generational family pharmacy in Brandon, maintaining its commitment to personalized care despite rapid regional growth.
Longstanding Brandon family pharmacy
What we know:
Bill's Prescription Center was established at the corner of Parsons Avenue and Highway 60 back when the area was a two-lane road with a single flashing light.
John Noriega, the founder's son, started as an intern in 1978 and became a full-time pharmacist in 1981 before taking over the business.
Today, the pharmacy operates as a three-generation endeavor with seven total pharmacists.
Staff members include long-serving non-family employees like Jason Beattie, who joined 29 years ago after Noriega offered after-hours help for his sick grandmother.
Future growth and pharmacy operations
What we don't know:
Officials have not outlined future expansion plans or potential changes to pharmacy hours as the suburban region continues to grow.
Personal service and employee perspectives
What they're saying:
"The way we handle people one-by-one hasn't changed," owner John Noriega said. "We have a relationship with our employees, just like we also take care of our patients just the same way... relationship-driven."
His children also emphasized the personal connection to the family business.
"Everything that we as kids—his kids—everything we have is because of this place," Chelsea Noriega West said. "To me, it’s super important that we carry that on."
Basil Noriega noted that the business offers a distinct community bond.
"The community, the amount of generations of families that have been coming here—it’s something so unique and special that you can’t really find it at a CVS or Walgreens," Basil Noriega said.
Lulu Noriega Denham recalled asking her father about her schedule when starting at the shop.
"He says, 'You're going to work 12 hours a day. Just part-time. Pharmacy hours,'" Denham said.
Staff pharmacist Jason Beattie recounted why he chose to join the team nearly three decades ago.
"If we're closed and she needs anything, then you can call my house and I'll get that medicine for you," Beattie recalled Noriega telling him. "That happened to be John Noriega. And that was the reason I came here and started working here that next Monday."
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from interviews with pharmacy owner John Noriega, staff pharmacist Jason Beattie, and family members Chelsea Noriega West, Basil Noriega, and Lulu Noriega Denham.