Profile
In November 1977 Margaret Saunders set up her first pharmacy business in the village on a site opposite the Ponderosa. At that time Swanson was still very much a rural community with no local doctor.
After a long fight with the then Waitemata County Council, Margaret moved the pharmacy to its present location at 708 Swanson Road. It had to be built as a house with provision for a shop in the front rooms and it had to be well back from the road. She stuck to her vision of creating a genuinely village-like atmosphere in both design and presentation, with easy access for the elderly and young mums, and colourful flower displays.
After 25 years of service to the district, Margaret sold the business to Halina Taylor, who took over in August 2003. A hundred people gathered to farewell her at an afternoon tea in the school community room.