Rite Aid opens ‘customer world’ store

BY STACI WILSON

Rite Aid opened the doors of its “customer world” store in Bridgewater Twp. Thursday, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Regional Vice President David Mahan said the new stand-alone store, which features a drive-through pharmacy, is about the 100th store this design opened by the company.

The new building replaces the storefront the drugstore retailer operated from for years in the Lake Montrose Mall.

Mahan said Rite Aid’s core customers were women between the ages of 25 through 50. And the store’s focus reflects the wants and needs of those customers, with an expanded cosmetics and beauty supply area located in the center aisles.

An updated pharmacy area is clearly marked and visible from the store entrance. In addition to the drive-through for prescription drop-off and pick-up, inside the store there is a private consultation room customers can utilize to speak with the pharmacists about medications.

The room will also be used to administer flu shots. By the end of this year, Mahan said, pharmacy staff will be certified to give flu vaccinations.

A sitting area, complete with a television, is also available for people waiting for prescriptions.

The store carries the usual drugstore staples but a section of durable medical equipment has also been added, as well as a GNC vitamin section.

“A lot of stuff you can’t usually find in a community this size you can now find here,” Mahan said.

Rite Aid didn’t just expand its building size and product lines, Mahan said eight or nine new employees have been added to the staff.

Mahan said the employees were thrilled to finally have a “real break room” in the new building.

Also new to the local drugstore is the grocery and frozen food section; clothing and a value section filled with $1 items.