Drug Mart opens new, bigger store on U.S. 250

PERKINS TWP. — Drug Mart opened a bigger and better store on U.S. 250 Monday after shutting down its older and smaller store on Perkins Avenue.The chain's new store at Milan Road and Dewitt Avenue, in the Menards complex and across the street from the Ohio Veterans Home, has about 28,000 square feet of space, about 8,000 square feet more than the old location at Perkins Avenue and Columbus avenues.The new store's grocery area includes a deli, which the older store lacked, and many of the departments now have a much bigger selection, Drug Mart executives said Monday."Our cosmetic department is twice the size of what we had in the old store," Drug Mart supervisor John Gans said.The wine and beer section, which includes craft beers and locally produced wines, is much bigger. Seasonal offerings, home health care supplies and office supplies also are larger at the new store.Pharmacy customers will notice improvements over the old store's pharmacy, chief pharmacist Grace Ruggles said.The new location has window service at the drive through, rather than the tubes at the old store, so service is much faster, with face to face communication. "You get to see us," she said.The new store also has an immunization room. And on the first Wednesday of the month, seniors (people aged 60 and over) who have a store card can save 10 percent on purchases of non-prescription drugs, medical goods and vitamins.Store managers like the new location, which they said remains convenient for area residents but also makes the store hard to miss for tourist traffic.The old store employed 42 people. The new, bigger store is expected to have a payroll of 50 to 52 workers, and that may expand further, store supervisor Bruce Wasem said. The store chain spent about $1 million to build the store, according to documents filed with Perkins Township's planning and zoning department.Hours at the store are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The pharmacy is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.The store manager is Dave Zubler. For the store opening, Drug Mart also brought in Deek Williams, 65, who opened Sandusky's original Drug Mart. The Drug Mart chain has 73 stores, all in Ohio, and emphasizes discount pricing.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.Drug Mart advertises it's grand opening on Monday, August 7, 2017 at the store's new location on U.S. 250. Moving to their new location on U.S. 250, Drug Mart more than doubled their wine selection. Store supervisor Bruce Wasem, regional pharmacy supervisor Katie Holstein, chief pharmacist Grace Ruggles, store manager David Zubler and original manager Deek Williams pose for a picture during opening day of the new Drug Mart on Monday, August 7, 2017. Display boxes stocked with perfumes light up Drug Mart's cosmetics section at their new location on U.S. 250. A larger produce section at the new Drug Mart location on U.S. 250.Costumers get helped at the deli counter at the new Drug Mart location on Monday, August 7, 2017.