By Noelle Edwards
nedwards@salisburypost.com
Moose Pharmacy officially opened its Salisbury store Saturday with barbecue, snow cones, inflatable bouncies and live music.
The grand opening at the store at 1408 W. Innes Street was more of a celebration than an actual opening, since the store was already operating.
“It’s a way for us to thank the community for welcoming us,” said Kyle Yoder, the store’s pharmacy manager.
The Moose Pharmacy company bought the spot from Towne Pharmacy in October.
Yoder said he wanted to get his feet under him and to make sure things were running smoothly before holding an official grand opening.
Teresia Blackwell, an employee at the Mount Pleasant store, was manning a table where people 20 years old or older could sign up for a raffle. She said at least two hundred adults had signed up.
Yoder estimated total attendance at Saturday’s event at 750 to 1,000 people.
He said they planned for food ó barbecue, pizza, hot dogs, and watermelon ó for 500, but they ran out and had to go get more several times.
A praise band from High Rock Community Church played during the first part of the day, and then the Concord bluegrass band Southern Junction took over.
Moose gave away door prizes of over-the-counter products and T-shirts with the name of the pharmacy on the back and “Got Moose?” on the front.
Yoder said the shirts have been popular for awhile among customers of the pharmacy chain; people could also buy them for $10 at the event, and many did.
The event was cut short by about an hour when rain started pouring, and most people scattered.
Still, Yoder said he was happy with how the day went. He said so many people got to see the store for the first time, got to meet the pharmacy staff, it’s bound to benefit the business.