owners say there is still plenty more to do. The drug store which began with five staff and 900 square feet of premises, is now manned by 17 employees. And today, three expansions later, it occupies 3,000 square feet including a warehouse. But plans are in the making to extend the store even further to accommodate the huge range of over the counter drugs, cosmetics and household goods demanded by customers. Co-owners and managers, Ms Donna Pearman and her father, Mr. Norris Pearman are even considering installing a snack counter where customers can drink coffee and chat. The pharmacy, which already has an extensive magazine rack, and a wide range of snacks, cards and miscellaneous household items, from shoe polish to mousetraps, is now set to introduce a whole new range of health products. Next month, shelves will be stocked with a wide selection of natural vitamins and health related products. "We are moving more and more toward promoting natural and preventative medicines over conventional medicines,'' said co-owner and manager, Ms Donna Pearman. "In a society that encourages taking medicine for whatever reason, we prefer preventative type treatment.'' "Ten years on we would like to double the size of the premises while still maintaining the close personable environment we already have,'' she said. "By then we hope to be well on our way to realising our plan to open a full medical clinic on the premises.'' This, she says, would include doctors' and dentists' surgeries, a physiotherapist and a nutritionist. Already, the upstairs floor is occupied by Central Diagnostics, a medical laboratory. "The idea is to have a full clinic so that when someone comes here with a problem they can have all their health needs met,'' she said. The physically challenged will be at the forefront of any changes during the pharmacy's next expansion. "As we expand we will definitely be keeping them in mind,'' said assistant-manager, Mr. Norris Pearman. "We will be widening the aisles and creating roll-up ramps for easy wheelchair access.'' "It should be a place where everyone can shop easily and comfortably.'' The People's Pharmacy will also be stocking orthopaedic appliances and products in the near future. Eventually, branches of the People's Pharmacy may start to appear in other parts of the Island. "Our minds are not closed to expanding elsewhere,'' she said. Advertising may also be another key area of expansion as the pharmacy moves into its eleventh year. Until now, relatively little has been spent on advertising as word of mouth has been enough to keep bringing the customers in. But Ms Pearman says the store is now large enough to accommodate a larger customer base. "Until now we weren't ready for it. Now we are,'' she said determinedly. BUSINESS BUC