Everything Westport - Westport in Brief March, 14, 2010

Westport in Brief! EverythingWestport.com Saturday, March 13, 2010

Quick Article Index . . . Ribbon cutting at State Road CVS.

Ribbon cutting at State Road CVS. EverythingWestport.com Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Despite wicked, wet and windy weather, CVS’s Westport grand opening went off without a hitch as local and state officials, and CVS executives cut the ribbon at Westport’s first large retail chain outlet.

“We sent flyers throughout this store’s marketing area over the last three days,” store manager Regina Sheldon told EverythingWestport.com. “We are giving a $25 gift card for every new or transferred prescription,” she said, “and will have an open-ended $5 off any purchase of $15 or more.”

The store had face paintings, raffles of items like autographed Patriots shirts and lift tickets to Jiminy peak, and other fun-filled activities, including a visit by the Easter Bunny.

At 3:00 p.m. the sheriff’s department conducted a Child Identification Program where parents or guardians of those children voluntarily processed at the grand opening will be presented a brief videotape, a set of fingerprints, a ToothprintsTM bite impression and a DNA swab, free of charge.” Click here to read more about this important safety program sponsored by law enforcement agencies.

"Since opening our first store in Massachusetts in 1963, CVS/pharmacy has evolved from a health and beauty aids retailer to the nation's leading retail pharmacy with operations in 41 states and the District of Columbia that are staffed by dedicated pharmacy professionals who work hard every day to take care of our customers," said CVS Pharmacy President Larry Merlo.

“Our new store in Westport adds to the over 7000 locations now operated by CVS Caremark,” said Sheldon. Currently 45% of the store’s staff lives in Westport, including Sheldon and CVS Pharmacy district manager Roger Michaud. Pictured from the left: Ernie Orlando, CVS district manager; Caren Sousa Aguiar, lead technician, pharmacy; Kim McGrath, Pharmacy Manager; Paul Vasconcellos Sr.; Mrs. Vasconcellos; Regina Sheldon, store manager; State Representative Michael Rodrigues, Laurie Pacheco, staff pharmacist; selectman Steven Ouellette; selectman Paul Schmid; selectman Brian Valcourt; former selectwoman Liz Collins; Mary Foley, Minute Clinic representative (subsidiary of CVS); and Roger Michaud, CVS district pharmacy manager.

CVS Caremark is only the second large chain retail operation now in Westport; Cumberland Farms being the first. Westport’s lack of a public sewerage system has been a deterrent to business expansion along the Route 6 corridor, and until recent times there was no town water as well. The lack of these services and the town’s shyness over large box store development has discouraged the kind of retail store expansion of the type that has occurred in neighboring Dartmouth.

Selectman Steven Ouellette, a member of the Economic Development Task Force, said the Selectmen were happy with the safety improvements and sidewalks incorporated at the busy intersection; the CVS Pharmacy is located at the intersection of Route 6 with Gifford Road.

“The task force prefers business growth to be office space or light commerce,” Ouellette said, “and the selectman would rather see industry that could offer more full-time positions. But CVS is a welcome addition to our community.” Left: CVS Caremark’s latest store in Westport. Right: State Representative Mike Rodrigues with the Easter bunny. Sorry Mike, Easter bunnies can’t vote. Left: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Vasconcellos Sr. with Economic Development Task Force member Mike Sullivan. Right: Mike Sullivan trying his hand at winning a raffle prize.

Left: CVS’ modern and spacious layout invites shoppers to browse while filling prescriptions. Right: The friendly CVS crew flanking store manager Regina Sheldon. 45% of Sheldon’s staff live in Westport.

Opportunity comes knocking on a door. “A man knocked on our door two weeks before Christmas, 2007,” Mrs. Vasconcellos of Westport said. “He made us an offer on our property. We turned him down.” “There were five property owners on State and Gifford Road that CVS was trying to acquire,” said Mr. Paul Vasconcellos, Sr. “Our house at 605 State Road was built by my grandfather in 1947, the same year I was born. We were very attached to that house.”

Eventually they sold their property to the developer who had worked with CVS to select the Westport location. “We got a price we felt was very fair, and why should we hold up these other people and property owners? CVS is a very welcome addition to the community, and we’re very happy they’re here,” the Vasconcellos said.

According to Mr. Vasconcellos, Mike Sullivan of the Economic Development Task Force was a major factor in getting this project done.

“We simply guided the neighbors through the long process,” Sullivan modestly said. “CVS was an important business acquisition for our town. We had to make it work.”

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