Now, Then, and Inside Rite Aid #4545, Wyandotte, Michigan

 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Wyandotte%2C_MI_location.png/320px-Wyandotte%2C_MI_location.png 

This post will look at retail in Wyandotte, Wayne County, MI.

 
Rite Aid #4545
1998 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte, MI
Driving distance and time from downtown Detroit: 10.9 miles, approx. 23 minutes

Located not far off from the heart of the Downriver community of Wyandotte at a prominent intersection between two of the city's main roads, Rite Aid #4545 opened in it's current location in 2000, replacing a smaller downtown location inherited from Perry Drug Stores in 1995 (Perry had only just taken over that store from Revco upon the latter's 1990 retreat from Michigan, and the location had, before that, housed Kroger and then Arnold Drug stores, and is now home to Family Dollar #7558).

Like most Rite Aid stores of the time, the store features the diamond-window exterior design. The store originally opened with the RA1 package, and in 2015, received a full remodel to the Wellbeing decor package (also known to some as "Wellness 2"). The exterior received a second remodel in late 2020, and the result is what you see above. Despite that, Wellbeing is still in use inside.

Since we've got our story out of the way, let's head back to 2017, the last time I went inside this store, and see what it looked like between remodels.

A closeup of the entrance awning as it appeared after the 2015 remodel. Note how the awning has persisted through both remodels.

Heading inside, here's the Wellbeing decor in all its glory! You can still tell that this store opened with RA1 by the tile, though when it received Wellbeing the blue tiles were replaced with brown ones. The actionway also received a new wood skin, as did the walls, making for a very sleek appearance. Beauty is located on the right-side perimeter wall, and the in-store GNC department separates it from the pharmacy counter.

To the left of the previous pic is the seasonal department, with a prominent location right in the actionway's bend. The Food and Home Care departments are adjacent, and in the far background is the First Aid department.

With our quick tour done, let's dive into the street level photos.

Rite Aid #4545 - October 2020 - As it appeared after the 2015 remodel, but very shortly before the 2020 exterior remodel. (Google Street View)
 
Rite Aid #4545 - July 2014 - The store's original appearance. (Bing Streetside)
 
We close out this post with the usual satellite photos.
 
Rite Aid #4545 - March 2020 (Google Earth)
 
Rite Aid #4545 - May 2010 (Google Earth)
 
Rite Aid #4545 - April 2002 (Google Earth)
 
Future Site of Rite Aid #4545 - March 1999 - The entire block of buildings on the west side of Biddle between Sullivan Street and Ford Avenue, including a gas station, was demolished to make room for the store. (Google Earth)
 
And that's all for now. Until next time...

Location: 1998 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192, USA

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