Expansion coming to Aikenheads Drug Store.
Exanpsion is happening on the first and second floor of the Renfrew drug store.
Steve Newman, Renfrew Mercury
Renfrew council has approved the site plan that will allow Aikenheads Drug Store to expand the size and scope of its business.
Construction will allow the Raglan Street business, which opened in 1938, to markedly increase space on both floors. Construction will begin in the spring.
Aikenheads owner Sheila Kemp said the changes will allow the business to become a full Canada Post outlet, to upgrade its accessibility features for the physically challenged, and to improve its service delivery for customers.
Changes in service delivery are critical, says Kemp, because the pharmaceutical industry has changed a lot in recent years.
“It has become a lot more one-on-one,” explained Kemp while referring to the examples of flu shots, private counseling, and travel clinics for those travelling abroad and requiring specific vaccinations.
“We’re very space-contained right now,” said Kemp.
More space will be at the back and side of the building, toward the rear parking lot, as first-floor space jumps from 3,530 to 4,822 square feet.
The biggest expansion will be to the second storey. The entire building’s current 5,812 square feet will increase to 9,138.
The construction work will be done by Beatty Pilgrim Construction.
The Canada Post outlet will be located on the ground floor along with new offices for one-on-one service for customers. Most of the extra space will be for store inventory on the second floor, where a rental apartment will remain.
“We’re very happy to have approvals for these changes,” said Kemp. “We’re looking forward to serving all our customers in a better way and in a more private way.”
The site plan calls for 16 parking spaces.
The entrance and exit for drivers will remain at the rear of the property, adjacent to Argyle Street South.
Also, the sidewalk along Argyle Street will be replaced to better define the vehicular entrance.
The Aikenheads site plan was approved at the Jan. 28 meeting of town council.