Rite Aid relocates to new Anderson store

DECADES OF SERVICE: Rite Aid Regional Vice President Bob Lambrecht, in blue suit, honors Sheila Hibbard, Alice Echmann and Becky Ring, respectively, for 27 years, 30 years and 32 years of service to the Anderson store.

Propelled by the Anderson High School marching band and a fight song hastily-revised as "R-I-T-E A-I-D," top brass from the drugstore chain cut a yellow ribbon shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, and officially declared open for business the new Anderson store located at 3095 McMurray Drive.

The 16,000 square foot store features Anderson's first drive-up pharmacy window, the chain's latest floor plan design labeled as "Customer World that has short diagonal aisles branching off of a main aisle that leads from the corner-sited front door directly to the pharmacy.

Local city and county elected officials joined company officials, Anderson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Irish Robinson and Anderson Police Chief Dale Webb for the media photo opportunity

Rite Aid's regional vice president, former Redding resident Bob Lambrecht, now based out of Portland, Ore., was the company's top-ranking official in attendance during the 9 a.m. grand opening event.

"This is the 33rd new store to open in my region with what we like to think is our New Age floor plan," Lambrecht said.

Noting Rite Aid's long commitment to the Anderson area, Lambrecht then called out of the crowd three women who have been long-term employees of the Anderson store.

Becky Ring has worked with Rite Aid in Anderson for 32 years, Alice Echmann a total of 30 years and Sheila Hibbard 27 years.

At times choking with emotion, store manager Theresa Collins, 36, of Cottonwood gave credit for the successful opening to her 40 employees.

"My team has worked very, very hard to help make this day possible," said Collins, a 16-year employee of Rite Aid who was appointed to the position of store manager two years ago.

After the ceremony, onlookers and marching band members alike crowded around the Thrifty ice cream counter for some hand-dipped treats.

The grand opening festivities will continue through Saturday, Oct. 10, with special events and activities for families with children including an inflatable bounce house for smaller youngsters.

Rite Aid operates more than 4,800 stores in 31 states as well as the District of Columbia. Fiscal 2008-2009 annual sales topped $26.3 billion, according to company spokeswoman Ashley Flower.