A ribbon cutting was held Thursday, the opening day for the new Rite Aid store at Hamlin Corners.
Over 14,000 square feet, the new store and pharmacy is about two and half times the size of the previous location at the Hamlin Village Mall, said Store Manager Nick D’Agostino. He said that all of their departments have been expanded.
In a press release, Regional Vice President David Mahan said that the new store features the company's "Customer World" design. It was created using feedback from customer focus groups, and is Rite Aid's latest prototype design, offering a new look and many new services.
The pharmacy department is easily seen and accessible from the entrance, emphasizing Rite Aid's commitment to patient health and wellness, according to Mahan. The Customer World pharmacy waiting area is designed with a lowered ceiling, comfortable chairs, a TV, and connects to a pharmacy consultation room, providing a private and professional setting for patient counseling by the pharmacist.
Aisles are also wider and free from clutter. Department signs are more easily visible.
A new centrally located cosmetics department puts cosmetics and body care at center stage, appealing to Rite Aid's core female customer. The new store will also feature a GNC vitamin department with specialty products, a new Picture Center complete with the latest digital capabilities and two self-service kiosks and stools, drive-through pharmacy services and a larger pharmacy waiting area with important information on health and wellness.
For the crossroads Salem Township community of Hamlin, aside from the new store, other important changes came about as a result. Locating the store at Route 590 and 191 meant numerous traffic pattern changes. Turning lanes were created on both sides of the Rite Aid corner, on the streets. Cemetery Road used to join Route 590 at a sharp angle; the side road was realigned to meet 590 perpendicularly. Directly opposite from Cemetery Road is the Route 590 access to Rite Aid. A fully functioning traffic signal was placed at this junction.
Attending the ribbon cutting were numerous members of the Southern Wayne Regional Chamber of Commerce board, and Patty Blaum, Executive Director. Blaum remarked of the new Rite Aid, “We’re delighted. It’s a magnificent building and corner. It’s a nice entrance to Hamlin. The Chamber is very, very happy to see them.”
She commented that she has already seen an improved traffic flow thanks to the turning lanes and new traffic signal.
Replacement of several old, deteriorating buildings at the corner was also advantageous, she noted, giving Hamlin’s crossroads a bright new look. An old house, retail store and tavern were replaced with the new Rite Aid.
Rite Aid’s hours in Hamlin are 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday- Saturday and 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday; pharmacy hours are 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Monday- Friday and 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.. Saturday and Sunday.