Discount Drug Mart Seeks to Fill Vigliucci's Site

Discount Drug Mart may take over the former Vigliucci's Bi Rite store on Royalton Road at Prospect Road.

The company has submitted site plans for a 27,960-square-foot Drug Mart in the Royalville Plaza, seeking to renovate and expand the former grocery store. The plans call for adding about 12,000 square feet to the front of the building, including a drive-through pharmacy.

City officials said they are pleased with the plan.

"Discount Drug Mart is a welcome addition to our community," Economic Development Director Brent Painter said. "The company's decision to revitalize existing space is a positive for both the company and our residents."

 Plans for a Discount Drug Mart on the southeast corner of the same intersection fell apart last year after Ward 4 voters refused to rezone about 20 acres of residential land for the project. Heritage Development Co., which had proposed that construction, is now trying to sell the property.

Strongsville Planning Department Secretary Carol Oprea said plans call for Discount Drug Mart to take over the space occupied by , but that business will move to another location in the shopping center.

She said the approval process for the site plan involves the Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board. It will not need City Council approval.

Nor will it need a public vote, as Heritage's proposal last year did. In that case, the developers sought to rezone about 20 acres of residential property to business use, which requires voter approval. While voters citywide supported the rezoning last May, voters in Ward 4, where the project lies, did not.

The company had sought to build a 25,000-square-foot Drug Mart and a retail plaza on the wooded land. Residents in nearby neighborhoods opposed the project. 

A Drug Mart official declined to comment on the new Strongsville proposal at this time.

The Vigliucci's site has been vacant since the store closed last year. Also in the plaza are Mulligan's Bar and Grille, Strongsville Dance Co., AA Universal Karate Studios, Miss Yoon's Custom Tailoring, Relax Cafe and Kumon tutoring center.

Oprea said that if the process goes smoothly, Discount Drug Mart could be able to start obtaining permits next month.

Correction: An earlier version of this story contained misinformation about the developer of the Drug Mart project.