SCRANTON -- Folks who have done business with a longtime family-owned pharmacy in Lackawanna County will be seeing some changes.
As Newswatch 16 first reported Wednesday, Costa Drugs is selling its three locations in the greater Scranton area to national drugstore chain Rite Aid.
Costa Drugs is one of Lackawanna County's oldest businesses. It's been around for more than a century.
For about 15 of those 100 plus years, Richard Hallock has been the face of the pharmacy for folks who can't get out to one of their three locations.
He delivers prescription orders to customers all day. His last day could be Tuesday, unless he's hired by the new owner Rite Aid.
"It's like a big family to me because I'm so good with the customers and they all love me and I love them back. I do favors for them and everything and I'm going to miss them," Hallock said.
Newswatch 16 followed Hallock along his delivery route.
Thursday morning he stopped at Michael's For Your Hair Salon in Old Forge. The owner, Michael Toplonsky, has been getting his prescriptions delivered by Costa Drugs for thirty years even though his business is just across from another pharmacy.
He said he always liked supporting a local business.
"It's just so nice to be able to pick up the phone. And the guy comes in, he takes a lollipop every time he comes in. It's just a convenience," Toplonsky said.
Hallock said he will miss the customers he has delivered to for 15 years. But, owners of Costa Drugs said the new owners won't abandon the store's delivery service. Under its contract with Costa, Rite Aid agreed to deliver and prepare pill boxes for customers.
"If they don't control it, then they're going to be out of business, just like we are," Hallock added.
Costa Drugs has three locations in Lackawanna County. They are expected to close early next week.
Officials with Rite Aid say the deal to buy the Costa brand is still being worked out.