sh A store photo laboratory, an exten- will remain as is," he said. sive magazine section and highAll dispensary staff will remain at the downtown store. Pharmaend cosmetics and fragrances. Hellier will carry both brand cist Malcolm Jones will be based name merchandise as well as the at the store on a full-time basis. Life-Brand products and offer the "Nobody will lose their job Optimum Rewards Program. because of the alteration in the "We will continue with our free downtown store format," Hellier delivery service for prescriptions said. News that the downtown Shopfrom both the downtown and pers store will remain open was superstore locations," he said. The superstore's grand open- applauded by several officials. Mike Malachowski, president of ing will be Saturday with special the Belleville Business Improvein-store promotions and prizes. The downtown Shoppers loca- ment Area, said having Shoppers tion began its new Monday-to-Fri- downtown is important as the vilday hours earlier this week. It will lage proceeds to convert empty be closed weekends. space into more residential devel"The store will be kept open on opment. a restricted basis because we "I am very pleased to hear that want to continue offering a ser- Shoppers will continue to be open vice to both local residents and downtown providing services to those who work in downtown the local community, especially Belleville," said Hellier. downtown residents," he said. Plans are in the works to mod"We have a whole seniors comernize and refit the store over the munity living downtown ind it's next couple of months to cater important that a pharmacy be more to customers with prescrip- open nearby for them," he said. tions and needing o v e r - t h e Having a downtown pharmacy counter medications. is important to helping the village "For the time being, the store carry out its vision, he added. "Part of the vision of downtown is to have a vibrant residential community and having a pharmacy downtown will certainly help us achieve that." Ross Benway, a Quinte Living Centre resident, is relieved Shoppers is staying downtown. "You have a lot of seniors living in the two McNabb Towers and the Quinte Living Centre and most of them get their prescriptions and medication at Shoppers. It's the only drug store where they can walk, otherwise they have to take a bus or drive," he said. Tamara Bournival said she was happy to relinquish ownership of her downtown Shoppers store "to someone as capable and .experienced at Paul Hellier" so she can devote more time to her Quinte Mall operation. At the same time, she's glad the downtown Shoppers will remain open. "We heard the concerns of the community and we are pleased to keep the downtown store open. Downtown needs a pharmacy."