CANTON – Enexia Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy based in New York, has opened in the former Rite Aid building at 12th Street NE and Market Avenue N.

The retail store and pharmacy opened this fall at 114 12th St. NE with a drive-thru and also offers free delivery within an approximately five-mile radius.

“We started as a retail pharmacy in New York and eventually developed into a specialty pharmacy, meaning that we have specific service lines to meet specific needs,” said Nadine Esposito, director of pharmacy services.

The East Coast pharmacy primarily specializes in hospice pharmaceuticals and care, she said. Enexia has served the Staten Island area for more than 20 years and also has a New Jersey location.

CEO Boris Natenzon said pediatric nutrition is another specialty area. Based on past pharmacy business in Ohio and discussions with medical offices and manufacturers, the company determined there was a significant need for the services it offers, and Canton in particular seemed the best place to start.

“Depending on how well we do here, then we’ll start expanding probably down south in Ohio,” he said.

The Canton location opened with about eight to 10 employees and might grow its staff over time, Natenzon said. Nearly all insurances are accepted, and Enexia also expects to be able to accept WIC (Women, Infants and Children) benefits in January.

“So far, the community took us in, really, kind of open arms,” Natenzon said.

The Rite Aid pharmacy chain shuttered more than a dozen stores in Stark County in 2024 as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing because of decreasing sales, billions of dollars in debt and lawsuits related to the pharmacy’s role in the opioid epidemic. 

Ohio has seen a steady decline of pharmacies. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s online dashboard reports that there were more than 2,200 in the state in 2015 and that number dropped to 1,800 last year.

Additional new businessesCherish Hospice has opened an office at 3969 Convenience Circle NW in Plain Township to serve the greater Canton area. The hospice, which also has offices in Springfield, Ohio, and in Warsaw, Indiana, provides end-of-life home care to patients and support to their families.The BP gas station at 5467 Wales Ave. NW began operating as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer in November.Manufacturers make Newsweek ‘most responsible’ list

Newseek magazine has named three area manufacturers in its seventh annual ranking of “America’s Most Responsible Companies.”

Diebold Nixdorf, Metallus, and the Timken Co. each made the list of 600 companies evaluated by Newsweek and Statista, a market research firm. They examined sustainability reports, financial reports and other performance indicators to find “companies that are taking action each day to uphold their social responsibility.”

Diebold Nixdorf, the ATM manufacturer and banking services company based in North Canton, ranked 479th overall and 67th within the technology industry. Its 2024 environmental, social and governance (ESG) report released in November highlighted such efforts as recycling more than 6.5 million pounds of material in the United States and working with Habitat for Humanity to build a home near its headquarters.

“This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to responsible business practices and our dedication to making a positive impact on our communities and the environment,” President and CEO Octavio Marquez said in a prepared statement. “We believe that strong ESG principles build trust with our customers, partners and stakeholders, and are fundamental to our core values.”

Diebold Nixdorf last made the list in 2020, according to spokesman Mike Jacobsen.

The Timken Co. announced that it made the list for the sixth consecutive year. The Jackson Township-based manufacturer of industrial motion products ranked 545th overall and 65th in the capital goods industry.

“Over 125 years, Timken has built its reputation on the simple principle of doing the right thing, every time,” President and CEO Lucian Boldea said in a prepared statement. “We lead with integrity and transparency, invest in safer workplaces and sustainable practices, support our communities and design products that improve efficiency for our customers.”

Metallus ranked 561st overall and 45th in the materials and chemicals industry. A company spokeswoman declined to comment on the award.

Boardsort partners with Shark Research Foundation

Boardsort.com, an Alliance-based electronic scrap recycler, has named a great white shark “Salvager” as part of a marine research initiative led by the Shark Research Foundation.

The shark was the first, free-swimming Canadian great white to be tagged with a fin-mounted satellite transmitter, according to a Boardsort news release. The electronic recycling company was connected with the nonprofit conservation foundation by the Shark Scrapper YouTube channel.

“We immediately knew Salvager was the right name,” Chris Skeeles, founder of Boardsort, said in a prepared statement. “It perfectly captures the spirit of what we do at Boardsort — reclaiming what’s valuable, protecting what matters, and respecting the ecosystems we’re all part of.”

Liberty HealthShare introduces vision program

Liberty HealthShare, a health care cost-sharing ministry, announced a new vision program in early November that will start next year.

Liberty Vision, with services provided by the independent National Vision Administrators, is open for enrollment with plans that start at $7 a month for individuals, $13 for couples and $25 for families. Like the dental program added in 2024, the vision plans were requested by members, according to CEO Dorsey Morrow.

“Liberty HealthShare is dedicated to continually expanding our sharing program options to meet the diverse health care needs of our members,” he said. “By adding a formal vision sharing program, we can expand our members’ support for other members’ total well-being in alignment with our mission of sharing and supporting one another in times of need.”

The plans can be used to help pay for vision care expenses, such as routine eye exams and prescription glasses.

Aultman recognized for technology use

The Aultman Health System was recognized in November by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) for its technology integration. The survey is internationally recognized and honors “excellence in digitally enabled health care,” according to an Aultman news release. Aultman was among more than 50,000 facilities evaluated and received accolades in the acute and ambulatory categories.

“At Aultman, technology isn’t just infrastructure, it’s a bridge to better care,” Raza Fayyaz, Aultman’s chief information officer, said in a prepared statement. “Being recognized as a ‘Most Wired’ organization validates our focus on leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes, enhance efficiency, empower our caregivers and serve our community. This award is a testament to the dedication of our teams who continually push boundaries to make that vision a reality.”

Ohio Assisted Living Association honors local admin

The Ohio Assisted Living Association and The Inn at Belden Village recently recognized Kristy Uminski as “Outstanding Housekeeping Director.”

Nan Gammill, CEO and executive director at the assisted living facility, nominated Uminski for the Honoring Excellence award. A committee from the state association selects winners from its member communities each year.

“For 24 years, Kristy has been an indispensable part of our community,” Gammill said in a prepared statement. “Residents, families, and colleagues alike love and trust her.”

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com.