A new independent drugstore opened its doors on Bath’s Front Street on May 11, filling the gap left by Wilson’s Drug Store, which shut down last year after more than a century in business.

Rice’s Drug Store owner Jonathan Rice took over a new storefront space at 84 Front St., renovating the space throughout the winter and spring.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for Friday, May 29.

“There are so many things to figure out in a business like this,” Rice said. “You’ve got state and federal requirements just like everything. I would get encouraged when I saw that people were interested in what I was trying to get accomplished here.”

Rice has been a pharmacy manager for the past 25 years in Maine and now oversees a team of two pharmacists and three pharmacy technicians at Rice’s Drug Store.

Working at an independent pharmacy gives pharmacists like Eric Morse a chance to connect with customers and spend a bit more time with them, Morse said. In a big chain pharmacy, there isn’t as much opportunity to get to know the customers better, Morse said. He has been a pharmacist for 30 years, working in Maine, and is originally from Bath.

Rice’s Drug Store delivers to a few customers who can’t make it into the drugstore, but is so far only confined to Bath because of the drugstore’s small staff.

Woolwich resident Gary Wright had been going to Wilson’s Drug Store since 1972, but now he likes the hometown feel of being at Rice’s Drug Store.

It was a shame to have Wilson’s Drug Store closed down, Wright said, but he feels that Rice’s Drug Store is a pleasant addition to Bath. He hopes the new drugstore will have a long history on Front Street, with a personal touch needed when dealing with prescription drugs.

“It is slow right now, but we are expecting it to pick up,” Morse said.

Rice’s Drug Store also sells tourist merchandise, such as clothing, mugs, magnets, and postcards.

The drugstore is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and closes at 5 p.m. on Saturdays, but Rice plans to have the store open ‌seven days per week.

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