If you look at a map, you can’t get much farther from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, than Forks, Washington—but that’s exactly where pharmacist Josuah Tilus has found himself these days. For Tilus, the journey has been a leap of faith, ambition, and opportunity.
Tilus always knew he wanted to own his own pharmacy, but as a new pharmacy school graduate, achieving that dream was no easy feat. When Chuck and Pura Carlson, long-time owners of the only pharmacy in Forks, decided to retire, Tilus saw the perfect opportunity. With the help of a partner and support from the Cascadia Pharmacy Group (CPG) he was able to make his dream a reality. Unlike large corporate chains, CPG represents independent community pharmacies—local, pharmacist-owned businesses that provide personalized care to their communities. CPG is made up of about 40 pharmacies.
CPG affiliate pharmacies are autonomous pharmacies run by their owners. Each pharmacy owner serves their customers how they see fit and runs their pharmacy as an independent small business.
Tilus arrived in Forks in June of last year and began working as he awaited his official pharmacy license, and during that time got a feel for the business and community. In August, he became the official owner of the town’s only pharmacy, a vital service for the community, given that the nearest alternative is 60 miles away.
“Everyone has been so welcoming,” Tilus shared. As far as his impression of Forks, “I found Forks to be the opposite of everything I know,” Tilus said, adding that the recent snow was the first he had ever seen.
Having grown up in Fort Lauderdale, Tilus has had to adjust to the dramatic change in climate and lifestyle. While he has made a trip back to visit his family, his parents —his mother dislikes flying—have yet to see his new home.
Tilus’ journey is one of perseverance and gratitude. His family is originally from Haiti, and he credits his mother for both his and his sister’s success. “My mother worked 16-plus hours a day so that my sister and I could go to college,” he said. Today, his sister is an engineer, and he is fulfilling his dream as a pharmacist and business owner.
While Tilus has been busy settling into his role, he has already implemented some changes. Customers at the pharmacy have noticed a system upgrade—one that he admits was a bit rocky at first but has now smoothed out. “It’s the Cadillac of systems,” he said, noting that the changes were necessary to modernize the pharmacy and improve efficiency. The upgrade also allowed him to hire four additional pharmacy employees.
Looking ahead, Tilus has plans to make the pharmacy even more accessible and convenient. Curbside service is available, and the store offers delivery in Forks, as well as weekly deliveries to Clallam and Neah Bay for a small fee. He even makes some of the deliveries himself. Additionally, customers can now use text and phone messaging for refills and make payments online through Nimble payment processing.
Beyond pharmacy services, Tilus wants his business to be a positive force in the community. A man of faith, he attends Forks Bible Church and plans to incorporate a Christian book section into the store. Beth Church will be taking over management of the variety section of the store, allowing Tilus to focus on pharmacy operations and community engagement.
Given Forks’ frequent power outages, he is also exploring ways to improve store operations during those times. A new logo and website are just the beginning of the pharmacy’s evolution under his leadership.
Though he has been too busy working to explore the trails and beaches that make Forks famous, Tilus remains grateful for the opportunity to serve his new community.
“I would like to thank the community for their patience,” he said, reflecting on the transition. “I’m looking forward to continuing to make things better.”
For Tilus, the move to Forks wasn’t just about owning a business—it was about embracing a new way of life, one that allows him to serve, grow, and make a difference in a small town that has welcomed him.
