By DEB WUETHRICH
A new Walgreens pharmacy should be opening in Tecumseh early in 2009 if construction moves along as planned by developer Larry Campbell, who operates Campbell Commercial in Troy. Campbell and Mark Drane, of Rogvoy Architects from Bingham Farms, Michigan, were both on hand as Tecumseh Planning Commission members reviewed and then approved preliminary and final site plans Tuesday evening for the new store to be located on West Chicago Boulevard. The move will involve the razing of Boomer’s Burgers, Destiny Christian Books, and some self-serve wash bays behind Sudzy Duz-It Car Wash.
“This will be like no Walgreens I’ve ever seen,” commented Planning Commission Chairperson Bob Fox. Plans show a brick building with several windows that have awnings attached. A matching brick wall will separate the site from residential property in back.
“You guys set the bar a little higher and we always make the challenge,” said Campbell, who complimented the city and its officials, especially from the Development Services Department.
During a public hearing, Tecumseh resident Sue Ives asked if the company has studied traffic flow at the M-50 and Occidental intersection in light of the plans and was told that there were no indications that the traffic pattern would change from what it is now. Commissioner David Malmquist pointed out that previous studies have been conducted by MDOT on that section of M-50, and said that more could be requested if the need arose.
“Are you aware that there are currently four pharmacies in the city, making this the fifth?” Ives also inquired. Campbell said that studies have shown that the city can support another pharmacy.
“Walgreen Corporation does an extensive amount of research,” he said. “Competition is a good thing for everybody.”
Following the approval, Campbell said that the company has been interested in the Tecumseh market for some time.
“We liked the demographics, the family values — just the community as a whole,” he said. “It’s true what I said. Tecumseh was top drawer from the beginning. They invited us to a pre-meeting and offered suggestions. Brad was very accessible and the city manager was the same way. I’m looking forward to doing business here.”
Business owners Judy and Gary Hicks also were present at the meeting and said that the Walgreens representatives have been professional all the way in their dealings with them and “did their homework.” The couple plans to expand Sudzy Duz-It Car Wash by adding a couple of wash bays and also may update the present facility in the near future. One of their concerns was that customers would continue to have access to Occidental, and the company has agreed to an easement. As far as Destiny Christian Books, Judy said she is still praying about that, with options including selling, moving, or closing.
“I’m just walking out every step and seeing what direction to take,” she said. “A number of people have said ‘You can’t close.’” She also has considered helping someone else set up a business.
“Maybe there’s someone who has always wanted to run a Christian book store and we could help them set one up,” she said. Judy said she also has considered continuing the business but expanding it to include other reading areas such as health, mental health and maybe even cookbooks. “That’s one direction my heart is going,” she said. “I know there could be a broader market.”
Boomer’s Burgers owner, Marliyn Bloomfield, said she is still considering options but will take a break from the business, which has been in the city for the past 27 years. “I’m not completely ruling out the possibility of a future Boomers,” she said.