Rite Aid heralds first net-new store since 2010

CAMP HILL, Pa. — For the first time in five years, Rite Aid on Tuesday celebrated a grand opening of a store built from the ground-up. 

 

“Today is truly a day of celebration for Rite Aid as we celebrate the grand opening of our first net-new store to be built since 2010, right here in Harrisburg, just miles from our corporate headquarters,” said John Standley, Rite Aid chairman and CEO. “As we begin to build up our development pipeline through new and relocated stores, we are laying the foundation for future growth and continuing our transformation into a retail healthcare company, bringing our unique brand of health and wellness services to even more customers in both existing and new markets.”

 

Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., joined Standley and Ken Martindale, Rite Aid president and COO and president of The Rite Aid Foundation, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the store Tuesday morning. “For years, Rite Aid has provided critical healthcare services to people across Harrisburg, and through this new store, they will be able to continue do so,” Barletta said. “I thank Rite Aid for their commitment to the community and wish them continued success in the midstate and beyond.”

 

The new store, which is more than 14,500 sq. ft., features the company’s popular wellness store format, of which there are currently more than 1,500 of nationwide. Rite Aid’s wellness store format, which first debuted in spring of 2011, is part of the company’s continued commitment to providing services, products and resources to help its customers and their families live healthy lives.

 

Upon entering the store, there is a direct wooden path leading to the pharmacy department. The store has multiple drive-through pharmacy lanes and a private pharmacist consultation room adjacent to the pharmacy where Rite Aid pharmacists can have conversations with patients, administer immunizations and offer other clinical pharmacy services.

 

The new store also features a specially designed GNC vitamin department, including an interactive kiosk that helps customers make informed purchasing decisions.

 

Also available to customers as a resource, a Wellness Ambassador, which serves as a bridge between the front end of the store and the pharmacy. 

 

Other key design features include overhead departmental rings designating each section of the store such as beauty, food, home care and seasonal; a relaxing, warm color palette with soothing wood tones and softer lighting; and hundreds of new health-and-wellness products including organic and gluten-free foods.

 

In honor of the grand opening, The Rite Aid Foundation presented a $5,000 donation to the Foundation for the Central Dauphin Schools. The donation will support the organization’s PowerPack Program, which provides direct food distribution for elementary school students located in the Central Dauphin School District.