COSHOCTON, Ohio — Ritzman Pharmacies Inc. has completed its acquisition of Buehler Food Markets Inc.’s in-store pharmacies.

Ritzman — which has nine retail pharmacies — adds 13 locations and 75 employees from Buehler pharmacies. Part of the negotiations was for Ritzman to retain all current pharmacy employees while keeping similar wage and benefit packages.

Exploration of a possible deal began about 18 months ago, with primary talks in July. Both businesses are family-owned and have advanced similar views on customer service.

“The two companies just meshed, and it made a lot of sense. We can concentrate on the grocery business, and they can concentrate on the pharmacy business,” says Bob Buehler, vice president of marketing and merchandising at Buehler.

Buehler indicates that Ritzman’s takeover of the pharmacies will bolster customer care and expand pharmacy services. For instance, Ritzman has its own line of homeopathic products, which Buehler pharmacies lack. The added locations for Ritzman also stand to improve bulk buying power.