Rivers Super Thrifty

Gilchrist’s Drug Store was a longtime Rivers establishment, having opened in 1942. In 1975 Joss March and his business partners bought the store from the Gilchrist family. It joined the newly-founded Super Thrifty family of pharmacies in 1977. In 2001, a brand new building was opened, located just down the street from the former store. On the east side of the pharmacy is a specially designed mural featuring a look back to the early years of the town of Rivers.

Not only does Super Thrifty Pharmacy serve Rivers and area’s pharmacy requirements, the store is also a liquor outlet. In 1999 the store became the beer vendor when fire destroyed the Rivers Inn.

Joss March, one of the original founding partners of Super Thrifty, was the first pharmacist/manager/owner when the store opened in 1975 until 1985. Carman Denbow was store manager from 1985 until 1992. John Stanzeleit managed from 1992-1994. Since October 1994 Gary Pomeroy has been pharmacist/manager/owner.

Rivers is a community located approximately 40 kms northwest of Brandon in the Riverdale municipality.  The town has a population of 1,200.  Agriculture, health and related businesses form the economic base for the community and area. There are schools in town for children in nursery school up to high school.  Rivers has its own police force. Via Rail’s “The Canadian” stops at the Rivers railway station. Originally built in 1917 for Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, the station building was designated a national historical site in 1992.

Lake Wahtopanah, located nearby, is used all year for fishing, swimming, boating and water skiing. In the winter there are fish shacks as far as the eye can see! Riverdale is surrounded by beautifully groomed snowmobile trails. In summer there’s a challenging 18 hole golf course just west of town.  The campground at the lake is in high demand and C.J.’s Snack Shack and Mini Golf is famous in the area.

Super Thrifty Pharmacy supports the annual Ag Society Fair by supplying prizes for the bike contest and by sponsoring the Reserve Champion Heifer Class for the 4-H Beef Club. The store supports the AAA Bantam Yellowhead Chiefs and the AAA Girls & Boys Yellowhead Chiefs Midget teams. The staff volunteers their time and clothing for the Riverdale & District Health Authority annual fundraising tea and fashion show.