A Beavercreek pharmacist who founded Middletown Pharmacy in 2007 is gearing up to open two independent pharmacies in the Dayton area this summer.

One Heartland Pharmacy shop is planned for the Shops at 3000, a new retail development still under construction at the corner of Far Hills Avenue and East Dorothy Lane in Kettering.

The other store will open off West Alex-Bell Road adjacent to Chappy’s Tap Room and Grille in Moraine, according to Kindy Ghussin of Beavercreek, Heartland Pharmacy’s founder.

Both locations are just across the street from former Clark’s Pharmacy locations that closed last year when Clark’s owner sold part of his locally-based chain of pharmacies to the national CVS chain of drug stores.

That proximity is no accident, Ghussin said. The independent Heartland Pharmacy shops will be similar to the former Clark’s locations in their small size.

Last fall, four Clark’s locations in Franklin, Kettering, Troy and West Carrollton closed entirely, and three in Washington Twp., Tipp City and Dayton ceased retail pharmacy operations to focus on home-medical supplies or long-term care patients.

The new Heartland stores will offer prescription services, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, a full line of diabetic supplies, blood-pressure monitors, and health and beauty items, Ghussin said.

The target date for opening both stores is July, dependent on licensure and construction/renovation schedules, Ghussin said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.