Owners of the late-night Centretown Pharmacy  have vowed to continue extended hours despite this not being the first time thieves have targeted the Bong Bong road business.

Pharmacist John Mullan said while they were a retail space they were also offering a community service.

“The longer we can open the more we are fulfilling the need of the community,” he told the Mercury.

“We could shut it earlier – quite simply to remedy it you shut at eight.

“But we stay open because it provides medical needs for people after hours.”

The chemist is adjoined to Dapto Medical and Family Practice, and open from 8am until 10pm every day of the week.

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Just after close on Sunday, two staff were terrorised by a man armed with a shotgun who allegedly demanded cash and drugs. One male worker was hurt.

The victim was allegedly struck in the face with the butt of the weapon and treated on scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

“They seem to be alright, as much as you can be in a situation like that,” Mr Mullan said.

“Effects can sometimes take time, but at this stage they seem okay.”

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The business was last subject to an attack by two male robbers wielding knives in 2012.

“For the most part we live in a wonderful community with wonderful people all around us but one or two bad eggs can affect that service,” Mr Mullan said.

“Situations like this make it more difficult, they don’t make it untenable but they make it more difficult for us.”

Many in the local community were rallying around the pharmacy, with heart-warming phone calls checking if the employees were okay.

“A close relationship is forged between staff members and pharmacists and people in the community,” Mr Mullan said.

“We’ve had a lot of very, very considerate phone calls making sure everyone is okay.

“It’s a tribute to the community the way they’ve responded.”