Greg’s Pharmacy, 126 N. Main St., will close at 4 p.m. on Friday. It will reopen Monday morning as a CVS Pharmacy.

CVS purchased the pharmacy from Clark’s RX Pharmacies, which has owned the downtown business since Jan. 1, 2012.

According to Greg’s Pharmacy Facebook:

“We would like to announce to our community that Greg's Pharmacy will be converting to a CVS Health Pharmacy. We will be closing Friday Dec. 8, at 4 p.m. and remain closed through the weekend for renovations before reopening Monday, Dec. 11, as CVS Health.

“We are happy to report our hours of operation and location will remain the same, as well as the existing staff.

“We look forward to continuing to serve you in the coming weeks and sincerely appreciate your patience as we do our best to meet your needs during this transition.”

Greg’s has served as anchor of Bluffton’s Main Street retail district. Stanley Clemens owns the building housing the pharmacy. He told the Icon that the arrival of CVS will be good for the community.

The Icon understands that the Greg’s staff will remain in place. Store hours continue Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Angie Halcomb will remain the store manager and Andrea Williams will continue as the head pharmacist.

Bluffton retail shoppers may expect a wider assortment of items than currently stocked in the downtown store.

Greg Conkling owned the business for 26 years before selling to Clark’s RX Pharmacies, headquartered in Dayton. Conkling purchased Skelly’s Pharmacy from John Skelly in October 1986. It was originally located at 120 N. Main St., now the home of Ellerbrock Spine and Soft Tissue.

In November 1998 Conkling moved the pharmacy to its present location. The move enabled him to expand from 1,800-square-foot retail to a 5,700 square foot store.

Prior to the move, Harold and Annie Balmer owned the 126 N. Main St. building. Balmer’s had operated a women’s clothing store there until their business was purchased by Uhlman’s, a women’s chain store.

The Balmer's purchased the business from Ed Lape, who owned The Lape Company, known as "Bluffton's exclusive ladies store." The Lape Company had its beginnings in the 1930s.