Plans are under way for a large regional drugstore to be added to the Kent Island Shopping Center. 

Happy Harry's, based in Newark, Del., has signed a lease to open a 12,000-square-foot store at the Kent Island site in late 2003 or early in 2004. The company currently has 66 locations. 

The addition of the drugstore is part of a $2 million renovation of the entire mall being undertaken by its new owners, BBC Properties. 

Real estate agent Kevin Barrett, the leasing agent for BBC Properties, said Happy Harry's makes good sense. 

"Our research shows that there are more than 3,300 permits for new housing units in the area from Kent Island Shopping Center to Queenstown," he said. "The Happy Harry's chain, which is extremely active and successful in the Eastern Shore region, will add significant value to the center." 

Mr. Barrett said there aren't enough drugstores in the area to serve either the existing need, or what will come when the massive Four Seasons planned community is completed. 

"The current and future demographics in this market would be receptive to the store concept," Mr. Barrett said. 

The companies say they are still seeking some permits from Queen Anne County, but the process is proceeding smoothly. The proposed store would take up roughly 20 percent of the 42,000-square-foot shopping center. Construction is expected to begin shortly after the beginning of 2003. 

"It seems we have a really good fit for each other here and we are very excited to be welcomed into this community," said Raymond Hoy, director of Advertising at the company's Newark office. "We are going to provide the area with excellent customer service and professional pharmacy care." 

BBC Properties purchased the center for $1.9 million from Lephil Realty earlier this year. Its major tenants currently are Tru-Value Hardware and Dollar General. 

While the shopping center will remain open throughout the construction, Mr. Barrett said there will be some turnover among the retailers during the process. 

"A number of current tenants will be leaving and we are going to bring new tenants in," Mr. Barrett said. "Not only are we upgrading the facility, but also the quality of its retail stores as well." 

Among the 13 small businesses seeking new locations is Sheila Stutman, owner of C.R. Bottems clothing boutique. 

After 16 years in the center, Ms. Stutman is going to close the boutique and give full attention to what began as a sideline -- tuxedo rentals. 

Trading under the new name of Tuxedo Taxi, Ms. Stutman will expand her tuxedo rental business and take the product to the customer. Instead of wrangling the wedding party and dragging them to a shop, Ms. Stutman said she will go to the customers, take their measurements, deliver the altered tuxes, then pick them up a couple days after the wedding.

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Columnist Leslie Crook contributed to this story.Steve LaFlamme is a freelance writer living in Annapolis. 
 

Published October 27, 2002, The Capital, Annapolis, Md. 
Copyright © 2002 The The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
 

mmohsberg@capitalgazette.com 

From KIDL postmistress:  Too bad the new landlord's desire for more "quality" in the retail stores in the center will lead to locally owned businesses leaving the area or closing shop.  Massive proposed growth will change the face of our places of business: more chain stores and less of our neighbors, personal service, and individualism.  Our uniqueness will be gone.  This is NOT good for local businesses! (This is my opinion only, and not an official KIDL statement.)