Rexall Revamps: No Pharmacy, Major Changes in Store

Customers looking to fill their prescriptions at the will now have to make the trip to at 4840 Borgen Blvd. 

The downtown pharmacy, which has served the community for 84 years, announced that it would close its .

Ken Tallman, who co-owns the store with his wife, Joni, said they sold the prescription counter and the records to Walgreens because of its customers services and its compounding pharmacy, which Rexall had provided before the closing.

Tallman said several former employees have been hired by Walgreens, and the remaining staff will stay at Rexall.

Earl Kurtz, a Gig Harbor resident who has shopped at Rexall Pharmacy for more than 20 years, said he learned of the move Thursday morning. He was shocked to hear the news, especially after the .

"Things are changing a lot in Gig Harbor. A lot of empty shops," Kurtz said. "It's scary."

But Tallman is looking at change as an opportunity for Gig Harbor. He said the decision to sell the pharmacy counter was both an economic move and a way to improve the downtown neighborhood.

"We used to be the only pharmacy, and now we have nine (prescription) fillers (in Gig Harbor)," he said. "We have a wonderful spot down here so we want to take advantage of that and do something back to Gig Harbor in a different way."

Tallman said they will be remodeling the store, and "two-thirds of it will be changing."

He wasn't able to comment further on the plans, but he said it'll remain a retailer, and the renovations should start "very soon."

He said the changes are bittersweet, but he appreciates the community for its support.

"We've attracted some wonderful employees over the years. By the same token, we've also had wonderful customers. We've been lucky that way."

If you need to pick up your medication after Friday, Walgreens recommends you to call in advance to verify your information.