Desiree (right) and her daughter.
Meet Desiree Coleman, wife, mom of 4, grandmother, yogi, pharmacist and business owner. Whew! This is one busy lady but she keeps things grounded through yoga and meditation. Read about her businesses and how COVID has affected them and her family. Next time you are in the Alvin area, you absolutely have to stop in at her Sandwich Shoppe for the most delicious sandwiches you’ve ever had!
Desiree, her husband & son.
How many children do you have and what are their ages? How long have you been married and what is your husbands name?
I have 4 children: 33,24,21,19. I’m married to Anthony Coleman for 26 years.
How long have you lived in Pearland? What made you decide to live here?
We’ve lived in Pearland for 14 years. We left Houston looking for a more family oriented area.
What’s your favorite family activity Pearland?
Eating. We also workout together at the YMCA
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am Afro-Latina and I do not speak Spanish lol. At least not fluently. I am an extroverted introvert. I’d much rather be home reading a book than out socializing but you’d never guess that because when I am out around people I love to laugh and have fun!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My mother who is now deceased spent every summer with us to help with the kids and their Godmother, yes they all have the same one, Melinda Torry who was always there when I couldn’t be.
Where do you go locally for pampering or a Moms night out?
Jimmy Changas. I love their Margaritas!
Please share with us how you juggle working full time, and being a mom and wife?
In 2019 we became empty nesters. COVID changed all of that. My youngest who was at UTSA is now back at home. He decided to transfer to U of H this fall. No one knows yet what the fall will look like. When everyone was still at home my Yoga practice helped to keep me centered. That and Starbucks! 
Please share with us about your pharmacy and cafe:
How long have you owned your pharmacy? I opened my pharmacy in September of 2010. In 2016 we found a larger space and decided to move the pharmacy and recreate what once used to be known as a Soda Fountain Drug Store where you can come in and have lunch while you wait on your prescription to be filled.
What made you want to become a pharmacist?
Having a long family history of heart disease amongst other illnesses that plague people of color, I knew I wanted to be in healthcare. I actually started out in nursing school and in my last semester I realized that I had an aversion to blood and all other bodily fluids. Pharmacists play a huge role in treatment outcomes as we serve as a liaison between doctor and patient. Pharmacists are highly trusted by the public and are much more accessible than your doctor or nurse. Patients say things to us they may not feel comfortable saying to their doctors either because they believe the doctor doesn’t have time to really listen or they may not want to hear what the doctor might say out of fear. If you confessed to your doctor what you are really eating you might not like the possible restrictions they’ll want to place on you.
Desiree’s Granddaughter
How has Covid and businesses being closed affected your business?
We had to make the decision to close our Pearland location. It was a tough decision but with the uncertainty of the times we couldn’t take the financial risk of staying open without generating income for our overhead including employees salaries. We chose to reopen our Alvin location because it was already well established. It was our first Sandwich Shoppe and the Alvin community has supported us strongly over the past 4 years. The Pearland location ws still fairly new. We were still in the process of trying to create a solid team when COVID hit.
Our recent visit to Medic One Pharmacy and the Sandwich Shoppe.
Help support local businesses like Desiree’s pharmacy and sandwich shoppe.
1701 Fairway Drive Suite 3A
Alvin, TX 77511
281-968-7119
www.sandwichshoppealvin.com
Facebook: @thesandwichshoppeatmediconepharmacy