When she moved to Buda, only one pharmacy company was serving the Buda and Kyle area. However, 22 years later, Tammy Gray, owner of Buda Drug Store and Soda Fountain, said even with new competition, her company is still going strong. “The growth has been tremendous, but we’ve endured,” Gray said. Owning two pharmaceutical companies in Austin before opening Buda Drug Store in 2006, Gray said what makes her company unique is the customer service. “The product is the same. The only thing that is different is the experience and service. We try to go the extra mile for the customer.” Gray said. “We know the customers by their name, we know their families, their pets. We create relationships with the customers.” Gray said offering services such as medication delivery, curbside assistance, compounding—making drugs from scratch—and carrying items that competitors may not have make the drugstore a success. “Once we get people through the door, we typically always keep them,” Gray said. Gray also said it is not just the competition that she has to watch out for. “My biggest enemy is insurance companies,” she said. “The changes in reimbursement rates and the escalating cost of pharmaceuticals, that is the biggest challenge in pharmacy.” Following the small-business rule of thumb of supporting other small businesses and promoting their products, Gray said she wants people to know her business does more than just provide medicine and sweet treats. “As a small-business owner, I live in this community. I work in this community, and I support the community as well in other ways than just providing pharmacy services,” Gray said. “This business supports the schools and does fundraisers to help support the community.” Buda Drug Store 203 Railroad St., Bldg. 2, Ste. B, Buda 512-312-2111 www.budadrugstore.com Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Sun. Buda Soda Fountain 203 Railroad St., Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda 512-312-2172 www.budasodafountain.com Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-7 p.m., closed Sun.