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Monte Vista Avenue welcomes new caf and pharmacy
TNV 1
Before officially donning their white jackets, pharmacists and owners John Piro and Eddie Isaac spend time in Turlocks Vision Pharmacy preparing the space for their opening next week.

In what might be a sign of recovering times in Turlock, two new businesses are joining the strip of stores along heavily trafficked Monte Vista Avenue: The Cottonwood and Turlock’s New Vision Pharmacy. 

Moving into the Monte Vista Avenue location on the heels of the closure of Frost Bakery , this is not the first venture for The Cottonwood partners Sanjay Kumar and Hardeep Rai who have two locations in Oakdale and Modesto both of which opened in 2010.

The new Turlock space is attractive for its location as the owners hope to draw on the nearby California State University, Stanislaus students. With outlets at every table and free wireless internet, The Cottonwood is the kind of restaurant where patrons can enjoy a meal while also getting some work done.

The duo hopes to eventually franchise the restaurant that focuses on soups, salads and sandwiches with an emphasis on homemade ingredients.

“All of the dressings are made in house,” said Kumar, noting that the meats are also all cooked in house save for the turkey. “Even the balsamic, Caesar, and ranch dressings we make here which people really like.”

With diverse flavors like garlic, ginger, and lemon -cilantro dressings, Kumar said fresh is always first at The Cottonwood. Coffee and imported teas will also be available along with varied soup and sandwich options like Philly cheese steaks and paninis.  Kumar is drawing on 30 years of experience as a restaurant consultant and said the food is always presented in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

“People eat with their eyes rather than their stomach,” explained Kumar.

The Cottonwood is slated to open on Wednesday and hours will vary the first month, but will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends.

Directly adjacent to The Cottonwood is an independent retail pharmacy, Turlock’s New Vision Pharmacy, which is also opening its doors next week.

Turlock natives and pharmacists Eddie Isaac and John Piro said Turlock’s New Vision Pharmacy, or TNV, will be a community pharmacy for locals. Near to several schools as well as places like Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, the pharmacy is a convenient location for individuals to swing by between running errands or picking up their kids from school said Isaac.

“Basically, it is Eddie and my’s vision of what a pharmacy should be,” explained Piro of the store’s title. “It is your home town pharmacy where we know our customers names and schedules and we can accommodate them. That is what we are going for.”

Other than filling prescriptions, TNV will also have a range of drugstore products for sale from arm braces and bandages to snacks.TNV Pharmacy is also unique from other local independent pharmacies as it will be open seven days a week.

Turlock’s New Vision Pharmacy will have a soft opening on Monday and hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. The grand opening celebrations will take place on May 8.