Millsboro could soon have a new independent pharmacy along Route 113, bringing another local option to an area where pharmacy access has become a growing concern.
After several Rite Aid locations closed about a year ago, many residents in towns along Route 113 have had fewer places to fill prescriptions, ask medication questions, or get basic pharmacy services close to home.
Now, a pharmacy team from nearby Berlin, Maryland, is working to bring a smaller, service-focused pharmacy to Millsboro.
Millsboro Town Council Gives Preliminary Approval
The vote was 5 to 1, moving the project into the next phase of review.
The approval does not mean the pharmacy can open immediately, but it is an important first step in the process.
The property is in a highway commercial zone and includes an existing two-story building that has been used for several businesses over the years, including housing construction, a dermatologist's office, and an attorney’s office.
Why This Pharmacy Is Being Proposed
The pharmacy is being proposed by pharmacist Ray Patel and his team, who currently operate Coastal Drug Pharmacy in Ocean Pines, Maryland.
Patel told town officials that he and his wife moved to Berlin about 11 years ago and have seen steady growth at their Ocean Pines location.
He said customers have been asking whether they would expand into Southern Delaware, especially as pharmacy access has become more limited in the region.
That need has become more noticeable since Rite Aid stores closed about a year ago.
With fewer pharmacy options available, existing customers and new residents have been pushed toward the remaining locations.
Some residents may have another pharmacy nearby, while others may have to drive 15 minutes or more for service.
For Patel, the goal is to bring more accessibility to Millsboro and offer a kind of pharmacy service that feels more personal than a large chain store.
A Smaller Pharmacy With a Medical Focus
The proposed Millsboro pharmacy would not be designed like a large drugstore with groceries, household items, and convenience goods.
Instead, the business would focus more directly on medical and pharmacy services.
The 1,260-square-foot building would be used for services such as:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medicine
- Health equipment
- Immunizations
- Pharmacist consultations
- Medication packaging and portioning
- Delivery service
Patel described the concept as a “mom-and-pop pharmacy” with a concierge-style approach.
One planned service is special packaging for medications, including pop-out packs that can make it easier for people to manage doses.
That kind of service can be especially helpful for older adults, people taking multiple medications, caregivers managing prescriptions for family members, and anyone who wants more direct support from a pharmacist.
Delivery Could Help Reduce Traffic and Improve Access
One major part of the pharmacy’s business plan is delivery service.
Patel said delivery has been extremely popular at his Ocean Pines location, and he expects it to be important in Millsboro as well.
For customers, delivery could make pharmacy access easier, especially for those who have limited transportation, busy schedules, mobility challenges, or difficulty getting to Route 113 during high-traffic times.
It could also help reduce some vehicle trips to the site.
Since traffic flow was one of the main concerns discussed during the approval process, delivery service may become an important part of how the business serves customers without putting all demand on in-person visits.
Image: Coastal Drug Pharmacy
The Site Plan Includes Parking and a Drive-Through
Although the property is only about one-third of an acre, the preliminary site plan includes the existing building, 13 parking spaces, and a drive-through lane.
The drive-through is also an important part of the plan, especially for customers who may need quick prescription pickup or prefer not to go inside.
The traffic layout was a key topic during the Town Council discussion, since all vehicles would enter from the side road near the highway intersection.
Customers using the parking lot could back out and exit through that same entrance area.
Drive-through customers would loop around the building and exit through a one-way lane onto Route 113.
Because the Route 113 connection would only be allowed as an exit, not an entrance, the site gained room for the drive-through lane.
According to the project engineer, Bob Palmer of Beacon Engineering, the Delaware Department of Transportation had no concern with the proposed traffic layout.
Traffic Concerns Still Remain for One Council Member
Council Member Kimberly Kaan voted against the preliminary site plan.
She described the business plan as “wonderful” and acknowledged that Millsboro is underserved but said her concerns about traffic flow outweighed her support for the concept.
Her concern centered on how vehicles would move through the property, especially because the main entrance is near a highway intersection.
There was also concern that a long drive-through queue could potentially block parking spaces as vehicles move around the building.
Even with that concern, the majority of Town Council supported moving the project forward.
More Approvals Are Still Needed Before Opening
The preliminary site plan approval is not the final step.
Patel noted that opening a pharmacy is a complex process, and several pieces still need to come together before the business can begin serving customers.
The next steps include finalizing the site design, receiving final site plan approval from Millsboro, securing Delaware Board of Pharmacy licensure, completing renovations and construction, and setting up contracts with insurance companies.
Those insurance contracts are especially important for pharmacies because customers often rely on their prescription coverage when choosing where to fill medications.
Patel said he hopes to open the Millsboro pharmacy this summer, but the timeline will depend on the remaining approvals and setup process.
A Local Addition for a Growing Community
Pharmacy access is one of those practical needs that can make a real difference in day-to-day life, especially for people managing prescriptions, chronic conditions, or regular healthcare routines.
The proposed pharmacy would not replace every service offered by a large chain, the plan centers on prescriptions, medication support, delivery, and direct pharmacist access.
For residents who have felt the impact of recent pharmacy closures, another option in Millsboro could help ease pressure on the remaining locations and make healthcare errands more manageable.
Final approvals are still ahead, but the project has now taken its first official step forward.
Keep following the blog for more updates on local business openings, development news, and community changes across Coastal Delaware.
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Source: Coastal Point
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