Under the Sun: Aman Garg, independent pharmacist 

Aman Garg plans a grand opening of the new Adobe Drug, in the former Sonoma location of Pharmaca, on June first. Here he talks with the Sun’s Anna Pier about his new venture, and the story behind his life journey from India to Sonoma.

Where did you grow up? 

In Nabha, a small town in the state of Punjab. I grew up speaking Punjabi at home, but I was studying and speaking in English way before I came to the US for my master’s degree. 

Coming to the US? 

I came in 2004 to study at St. Johns in New York. Of course I did the GRE, and the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to be able to study here. I got my MS in Pharmacy Administration and Marketing. I came to Sonoma in 2012, to work for Pharmaca. 

Decision to be a pharmacist? 

When I was a boy, I wanted to be in business. But it always inspired me how anyone can know all those drugs that are out there and how they work in the body, so I studied pharmacy in India. But destiny followed. In 2002, after I graduated from pharmacy school, I started working as a marketing rep for Johnson & Johnson. Actually, everyone in my family but me is in business. I used to joke all the time, when I was working as a pharmacist at Pharmaca, “One day I am going to own this store.” 

How did you decide to do it? 

Well, when Pharmaca closed, I had two job offers. It was hard to turn them down. But I talked it over with my wife, and she and I knew that this store was my happy place. 

Challenges to getting open?  

Negotiating the rent was the first one. My landlord is the son of the owner of the original Adobe Drugs, started in the 1950s. I do not have any investors. Just myself – I’m using the ten or eleven years of good will that I invested in working here. I love this town, and I have helped in its hard times. During the 2017 fires, I facilitated getting prescriptions for the people in the shelter at the high school. During the pandemic, I was in the parking lot giving Covid shots. Of course it’s a huge risk, but I am feeling confident. In any new business, there is a lot to learn. But this one makes me happy.

Opening plans? 

We will open the doors the last week of May for retail and the pharmacy for cash customers. I am working to get contracts with insurance  companies. Customers will be very glad to see Stacey, Paul, and Natalie working here! It’s a huge store. It is taking hours to get set up with vendors. Each has an individual application. Pharmaca had about 160 vendors. I’m hoping to have about 70% of the products I will carry on the shelves by June 1, for the Grand Opening. The rest will be a work in progress, which is typical for any business. My father has come from India for four months, to advise and help me. Am I excited? Yes, I am. 

Tell me about your family. 

I returned to India in 2009 to marry. It was actually an arranged marriage. Our families knew each other. She and I met and talked twice, before the arrangements were settled, and decided it was a good idea. We knew we would get along very well. She got an MBA at Santa Clara University, and is working as a Sr. Financial Analyst for a London-based international biotech company with an office in Petaluma. We have two children, a daughter seven and a son five.

What do you miss that you enjoyed growing up in India? 

I miss good authentic Indian food, especially being in North Bay. And I have a big extended family back in India so I miss seeing them. Every year we go back to India. When I visit Punjab, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, and I love seeing my kids bonding with their cousins and learning Indian culture. They don’t speak Punjabi but they understand it very well.

In your free time? 

I like to garden. We grow vegetables and fruits in the back yard, and lots of flowers in the front yard. My kids often help me with this, so it’s a win-win. 

Sonoma is very lucky. 

I’m lucky too. It’s a dream. I love this town. I want to thank you, the people in Sonoma, for giving me encouragement and support. A special thanks to Mayor Sandra Lowe, and to the Chamber of Commerce. And for everyone who has been coming, open-handed, to help me.