Basinger's Pharmacy Suspension Should Be Lifted Soon: Harish Bhatt

JOLIET — Two months after Joliet Patch wrote about the brand-new Basinger's Pharmacy store on West Jefferson Street, the long-time owner of Basinger's, Harish Bhatt, finds himself in trouble with the state of Illinois, public records show.

However, Harish Bhatt told Joliet Patch during a Thursday evening interview that the one-year pharmacy license suspension for Basinger's Pharmacy is the result of a technical error, stemming from an investigation with state of Illinois pharmacy regulators that finished in June 2023.

Bhatt told Joliet Patch that Basinger's representatives plan to be in Springfield, the state capital, next week to clear up the matter, trying to get the pharmacy license reinstated immediately.

"We already paid the ($25,000) fine, I have the check, so we give them the proof," Bhatt told Joliet Patch's editor. "I'm hoping next week that we lift the suspension. It was a technical issue. We should be OK."

According to the documents posted online this past June, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced the following enforcement actions:

Harish Bhatt, pharmacist license indefinitely suspended for a minimum of 12 months, Basinger Pharmacy d/b/a Best Rx & DME, Bubblepack Pharmacy d/b/a Essington Pharmacy and Primary Pharmacy Inc d/b/a Basinger's Primary Care Pharmacy all indefinitely suspended for a minimum of one year based on violations of the June 22, 2023, consent order as follows:

Respondent Bhatt accessed licensed pharmacy area, accessed pharmacy operating system, and failed to pay his $25,000 fine within six months; and Basinger Pharmacy failed to pay its $50,000 fine within six months.

Two months ago, Joliet Patch reported that June marked the first week of business for Bhatt, the long-time president of Basinger's Pharmacy, at his new building at 2219 W. Jefferson St. In that interview, Bhatt promised that Joliet residents will find his new store one of the most useful and inviting businesses in the community.

Bhatt anticipated that "Basinger's beer cave" will allow him to compete against businesses including the Binny's Beverage Depot along Plainfield Road and John's Beverage at 3001 W. Jefferson St., across from Inwood's golf course.

"Ice cream, beer and milk," Bhatt said of his new store's offerings. "We'll have the coldest beer in Joliet, very cold, and a wide selection."

Among the assorted beer selections, Basinger's beer cave will carry Goose Island, Revolution Brewing, White Claw Hard Seltzer, Modelo, Budweiser and Miller Lite products, Bhatt pointed out.

Just a few feet away from Basinger's giant beer cooler, Bhatt created a walk-in humidor so he can offer premium cigars. Bhatt said his first large volume shipment of cigars cost him $45,000.

"The store is going to take a while to fill up because you're dealing with so many different vendors. We will have a number of food, sandwiches and frozen foods," he explained.