T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Nied’s Pharmacy owners Doug and Allison Niedermann, both Marshalltown natives and MHS graduates, cut the ribbon on their new business at 211 W. Main St. on Saturday afternoon during Oktemberfest.

Both Doug Niedermann and his wife Allison (nee Jensen) grew up in Marshalltown and graduated from MHS — Doug in 2002, Allison in 2004 — and even as they settled and built a life together and a successful pharmacy in Cedar Rapids, the possibility of expanding and giving back to their hometown was always enticing to them. Discussions started as far back as eight years ago.

“It was really, like, our 10-year goal, but I think it was just expedited — perfect opportunity, I think the time is right,” Allison said.

On Saturday, the Niedermanns, flanked by their three kids, other family members, friends and the Chamber ambassadors, officially made it a reality amidst the excitement of Oktemberfest as they hosted an open house and ribbon cutting for Nied’s Pharmacy at 211 W. Main St., showing off a brand new building that was constructed on a formerly empty lot over the last several months.

“On behalf of the Chamber and ambassadors, we appreciate you guys’ investment here into the community, taking a space that was sitting vacant and putting up this great new building. We’re excited to have you here, and welcome,” Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO John Hall said before the ribbon cutting.

In addition to providing a great opportunity for expansion, the business is also filling a need that officials from the city of Marshalltown had identified as one of its most pressing, especially on the north side of town as most healthcare has moved to the south side in recent years.

“We always wanted something on this side of town,” Doug said. “It was never an option to go to the other side because, like you just said, we saw everything moving to the other side of town, and this side of town has a lot of population that has a need for healthcare options. So it just made sense.”

Surprisingly, Doug said the operators of other pharmacies didn’t complain when they heard he would be moving in — quite the opposite, actually, as they were relieved that it might take some strain off of their heavy workloads.

While Doug will be splitting time between Nied’s and Blair’s Ferry Pharmacy back in Cedar Rapids, he plans to have a full-time pharmacist — Brad Kline — running the show here in Marshalltown. The plan is to employ three full-time staff members along with two PRN pharmacists.

Most of all, Doug and Allison are simply happy to reconnect with a place that has given them so much throughout their lives, although they’re quick to note that with both of their families still living here, they’re already back frequently as it is.

“It’s where we grew up. This is our community. We confuse our kids all the time. We’re like ‘We’re going home,’ and they’re like ‘We are home,'” Allison said. “I think it’s just great to give back to Marshalltown.”

Nied’s Pharmacy officially opens today and will operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The phone number is (641) 758-3350, and the website is www.niedspharmacy.com. Doug said the site isn’t “fully operational” quite yet, but should be within the week.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.