WINDBER —
A Johnstown area drugstore chain found the right prescription for a former Sheetz store, borough leaders say.
Martella’s Pharmacy spent the past 10 months renovating the site at 901 Graham Ave. into the company’s fifth Cambria-Somerset location.
They’ll celebrate the opening Saturday with a ribbon-cutting event that will feature free food and children’s entertainment, company officials said.
“(Martella’s) came to us at the beginning with their plans – and they did exactly what they said they’d do,” Councilman Jim Spinos said, adding that the renovated pharmacy building has brought new life to that section of town. “It really looks great.”
The pharmacy employs 10 people, nearly all of them Windber residents, said Martella’s marketing director, Kathleen Martella-Zucco.
Her siblings, Jackie and Joe Martella, own the family chain, which includes pharmacies in Boswell, Central City, Parkhill and on Franklin Street in Johnstown.
Visitors will find the Windber location’s shelves stocked with items carried at Martella’s other pharmacies.
The store offers a gift department carrying candles, bracelets and balloons, plenty of greeting cards and a $1 item section, Martella-Zucco said.
There is also a small grocery area stocked with milk and other goods. Digital photo processing and lottery tickets are available, she said.
For medications, the pharmacy offers free delivery – “and a drive-thru window will be added in the spring,” Martella-Zucco said.
Martella’s officials said the newest location is staffed with specially trained pharmacists and accepts all major insurance plans.
The site had been vacant since 2009, when Sheetz left for a downtown location farther down Graham Avenue.
“We’re glad to see any business come to town,” Spinos said. “But the Martella family has a well-known, established business – and we welcome them with open arms.”
“We wish them the best of luck,” he added.
Saturday’s ribbon-cutting festivities will begin at 10 a.m., with the ceremony at noon.
An iPad drawing and giveaways also are planned, the company said.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
