At Halpin's Pharmacy, the employees are much more than workers who stock shelves, ring up sales and fill drug prescriptions. They are owners. Through its employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP, the Spokane Valley business fixture offers its dozen employees a retirement perk by investing profits into a special fund designed to provide money when an employee retires or the company sells. In return, the business, now in its 66th year, is better able to retain employees like Lisa Keon, who prides herself on customer service and views each sale as an investment in her future. "I think it helps us because everyone cares just that much more and gives a little extra," Keon said. "This is our store."
