It was August of 2009 when Andrew Wagner, a junior then at Eagle Grove High School, walked through the doors of Eagle Grove Pharmacy to start his first day on the job. He worked part-time making pharmacy deliveries after school and occasionally ran the cash register. It was a great job that allowed Wagner to earn some money while also forming a very important business relationship with the owner, Mickey Cooper…but he wouldn’t discover that benefit of the job until a couple of years later.
When Wagner graduated from EGHS in 2011, his intention was to go to Iowa State University to study either architecture or construction. But just before classes began in the fall, he changed his mind.
“I started thinking, ‘Do I want to sit in an office by myself day-after-day?’” admitted Wagner.
That’s when he began thinking about the work environment he had been around for the last two years, and ultimately decided to switch his major to pre-pharmacy…and he’s glad he did.
After ISU, Wagner continued his education at Drake where he graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2017. It was during those school years that Wagner discovered the value of his relationship he had formed with Cooper back in high school. He was fortunate to have stayed in contact with her over the years, continuing to work for her during breaks and over the summers. That time he spent there got him thinking about how much he liked being a part of Eagle Grove Pharmacy and what the future might hold for him there. During the last couple years of pharmacy school, he approached Cooper about the idea of coming back to work side-by-side with her once again, but only this time as a pharmacist.
“I wanted to come back to Eagle Grove because the opportunity to be part of an independent pharmacy doesn’t exist in many places, and then to have one in my own hometown…it’s hard to turn away from that,” said Wagner.
Cooper loved the idea, but she didn’t just jump right in and say “yes.” She made it clear to Wagner that while she would love to have him join her after pharmacy school, she also wanted to make sure he had a chance to live in different places and work with different people with different styles of running a business…if that’s what he desired.
“I didn’t want him to feel like he had missed out on any of those experiences if he came right back to Eagle Grove,” said Cooper.
Wagner said he really didn’t have to think very long about it. He knew where he belonged. He wanted to come back home and work alongside Cooper, learning the ropes of the business from a different position. Cooper welcomed him with open arms. Not only was she thrilled to have a junior partner, but she loved seeing another young EGHS graduate return to live and work in our small town community.
“It’s wonderful to see young adults like Andrew want to come back home to Eagle Grove to carry on the next generation of our community, businesses, and families,” said Cooper with a big smile.
Wagner is grateful for all he has learned from Cooper since then. One of the most important lessons being, according to him, “If it’s good for the patient, it’s good for us. Take care of the patients and the business comes with it.”
As time passed, Wagner began learning the business side of the pharmacy as well. It was great for both of them. Wagner became more familiar with things like billing, insurance, and suppliers, while Cooper was able to focus more time consulting with patients. Cooper’s and Wagner’s styles blended very well, despite one of them having retirement on the mind and the other just getting started in their career.
“We have very few differences or ideas,” said Wagner.
Cooper agreed, which is why she began talking with him about the possibility of him purchasing the business from her. Wagner was definitely interested, especially since Cooper was there to work with him, teaching him the ropes and guiding him through the process of owning a pharmacy. Most importantly, she didn’t rush him to make a decision.
“She never wanted to push a timeframe on me,” he said. “She wanted it to be when I was ready.”
The two started talking more seriously about it in the beginning of 2020…and then COVID hit. It may have delayed the process, but it didn’t stop the deal from happening.
“There was so much to do (to purchase the business)…from licenses, to drugs suppliers, etc.,” said Wagner.
He sent 2020 out with a bang and started 2021 with a whole new life path in front of him. On December 31, 2020, he married Rachel, the love of his life. On January 1, 2021, he became the new official owner of Eagle Grove Pharmacy.
“Now has been a good time for me to take it over,” said Wagner.
But that doesn’t mean you won’t still be seeing Cooper’s familiar and friendly face when you stop in. She is going to keep working there, just not as many hours.
“I’ve worked 12 hours days for, well, forever it seems,” admitted Cooper with a little chuckle. “But one thing I am doing differently is coming in at 10 a.m. I told Andrew that I would close the store then so he could be sure and go home every night at 5 p.m. to have dinner with his family. That’s one thing I realize now I should have done.”
“I am very fortunate to have a partner that still wants to be involved,” said Wagner.
He added that Cooper not having to worry about the ins and outs of owning a business will now allow her the freedom to enjoy more time for other things, most importantly, her family. Cooper said in addition, she is looking forward to spending time doing something she has become very interested in, but just never really had the time to do it…and that’s compounding, a service they added to Eagle Grove Pharmacy just a few years ago.
According to Wagner, this is a very big part of their business, sending these special order medications not just all over Iowa, but all around the nation.
Wagner says for right now, there won’t be any major changes to the Eagle Grove Pharmacy as you know it, but he is always looking to the future. For starters, he wants to continue to grow their online presence. He is also appreciative of how well Cooper did in expanding other services the pharmacy had to offer, which he plans to continue, like diabetic footwear and compounding services.
“There is opportunity in Eagle Grove,” said Wagner excitedly, referring not only to the pharmacy, but to other young professionals returning to the area as well.
Although Wagner’s wife, Rachel, works as a court reporter, she has also been learning about the pharmacy, helping out on weekends. In addition, she is in the process of taking store management and merchandising classes.
Wagner is looking forward to what lies ahead as he and Rachel settle into their home life and work life in Eagle Grove. He is grateful for all the support he has received from Cooper, thankful to be back in the same community with his parents and brother, and enthused about other young EGHS grads returning to make their homes and raise their families here as well.
