By Debbie Adams
Vinton once again has an independent, family-run pharmacy with the opening of DownHome
Pharmacy at River Park Shopping Center on Bypass Road. The business is owned by
pharmacists Tim and Allison Lucas and their daughter, Dr. Kayla Lucas, also a pharmacist.
The business held a grand opening/ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 24 with the Vinton Area
Chamber of Commerce and Vinton Mayor Brad Grose. The Rev. Chris Cadenhead of Bonsack
Baptist Church led a prayer for the new business, the family working together for the
community, and the healing of patients who need their services.
This is the second DownHome Pharmacy location in the Roanoke area. Their original business,
established in 2001, is in Botetourt County. Between both stores, they have about 10 employees.
Their motto is “Not just any ordinary pharmacy; it’s our family helping yours.” Their stated
mission is “to provide patients with high-quality healthcare in a friendly, family-oriented, and
patient-centered business that focuses on superior service and total patient care.”
DownHome Pharmacy offers specialized services such as compounded medications,
vaccinations, medication synchronization, medical equipment, and home delivery. Compounded
prescriptions are custom-made products which give patients options on the delivery systems of
medication; for instance, those who have difficulty swallowing capsules might be better served
by topical or liquid or suppository formulations.
Tim is from Charlottesville; Allison is from Botetourt County and a 1988 graduate of Lord
Botetourt High School. They met in pharmacy school at Virginia Commonwealth University in
1990 (when it was the Medical College of Virginia). After graduation, Tim worked at a “big
box” pharmacy, with the goal of eventually owning their own business.
They have four children– daughters Kayla, Kendall and Kylee, and son, Keaton. The young
women are all involved in the pharmacy; Keaton is a student at Virginia Tech, planning on a
career in pharmacy.
For several years, Tim Lucas was president of the Virginia Pharmacists Association, and also the
local Roanoke Valley Pharmacists Association, a position which Kayla now holds.
For decades, Vinton was served by another family-owned pharmacy – Cundiff’s Drug Store.
Sam Cundiff retired in recent years and that left only chain pharmacies in the town. DownHome
Pharmacy is delighted to fill the gap. In fact, they chose the “DownHome” name in reference to a
song from the group, Alabama, who sang about “down home where they know you by name and
treat you like family.”
They say they are familiar with the quality services provided by Sam Cundiff and his brother Bill and consider adding a new location in Vinton a great opportunity.
Hours of operation at the Vinton location are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. It is closed on Sunday.
Allison Lucas says the pharmacy is currently searching for vendors to sell their handmade items
(jewelry, pottery, bags, art, and more) at the Vinton location.
For more information on the pharmacy visit the website at www.downhomepharmacy.net, email
downhome.vinton@gmail.com, or call 540-566-4005; use the same email to inquire about
becoming a vendor.
