Long-Awaited Perry Hall Walgreens to Open Friday

Perry Hall's will open to the public on Friday, and a grand opening celebration is scheduled for October, a store worker confirmed.

As of Wednesday afternoon, a sign on the front door read, "WALGREENS will be opening Friday, September 14th Thank You & Be Well!"

Prep work on the store at 8650 Belair Road and Silver Spring Road began more than two years ago.

In 2010, Wayne Lauman, past owner of Direct Home Furnishings, formerly Lauman's Furniture, to the Walgreens corporation. A lengthy demolition process followed.

The Walgreens' opening was for the winter of 2011-2012. Repeated delays, however, to the fall.

Store representatives have declined to comment on the cause of delays.

The new store is about and is expected to lead to , according to company representatives.

It will be Perry Hall's second , just two miles from an , and join a list of drug stores in the community.

Its construction has drawn ire from some residents, causing one Patch reader to the community change its welcome signs to read: "Welcome to Perry Hall, a great place to get your prescriptions filled!"

But this level of concentration isn't uncommon, company spokesperson Tiffani Washington told Patch in . Nearly two-thirds of Americans live within three miles of a Walgreens. 

The store's placement is the result of extensive research and is likely in response to Perry Hall's aging population, Washington said, adding that account for 65 percent of the company's total sales.

Do you plan to shop at the new store? Which Perry Hall pharmacy is your favorite? Tell us in the comments.