Brooklyn Heights will soon be home to Careland, a new pharmacy with a modern look but an old-fashioned philosophy – personalized care. The first part is due to the work of designer Sergio Mannino, a DUMBO-based Florentine designer, the second stems from the owners Ayman Tawadros and Ashraf Awad (who also own a non-related pharmacy in Staten Island.) While there is no set opening date at press time, Careland is expected to open within three weeks.
BHB met with Sergio Mannino (who, until Careland, has mostly designed high end shoe stores) and was given a walk through of the former Mr. Video III store space. It is an example of ultra contemporary design, but is also full of traditional references related to health care. Virtually every pharmacy in Europe uses the green cross as an identifier. Sergio and his partner, Jonathan Wajskol, customized the iconic image by hand painting one.
The inspiration for the design started with the name of the store itself. Say’s Mannino, “The name, that’s the most important thing. This is place for the care of people and [the owners] wanted to create a pharmacy for the neighborhood, not a typical chain, a place where there is a relationship between the pharmacist and the client. That’s very important to them, to establish this relationship and create a bond. This will be the place where people can come and find assistance and they’re not just a number. That’s the most important thing.”
The notion of “care” also reflects itself in the design of the shelving, which is curved. “I love curves,” says Mannino, “[that] wraps around “like a hug.”
The floor is another hand-drawn image by Sergio. Fun graphics of band-aids digitally printed in white on the floor, complementing the cheerful green color palette, which Sergio calls, “playful.”
As well as care, Careland has a focus on safety and convenience. The pharmacy is completely doored-off in a private (and equally gorgeous) space in the back with the appropriate safety alarms. Sergio also crafted unique, interchangeable shelving that will allow Careland’s pharmacists to easily manage products, ensuring accessibility for customers while bringing a visually pleasing design to the space. Products will include everything from kids’ toys to high end cosmetics, or as Sergio exclaims, “Everything!”
Other offerings include a drop-off box that is accessible from the exterior for on-the-go customers needing to fulfill prescriptions.
