It may have big shoes to fill, but a new independent drugstore in Palmerton believes it’s up to the challenge.

Palmerton Pharmacy held a ribbon cutting Tuesday at 330 Delaware Ave.

Located at the former BB & T Bank, the locally owned drugstore held a soft opening in February.

Since then, manager Kathy Moyer said that “business has picked up drastically.”

She said the pharmacy strives on personalized customer service, and offers free daily delivery, free blister packing of medications, free diabetic glucose testing, and free blood pressure monitoring.

Moyer said the pharmacy also offers vaccines on a daily basis.

She said that as an independent pharmacy, it has the ability to keep over the counter products at a lower cost for its customers, and added the pharmacy accepts all insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid.

“Our customers are glad to see us,” she said. “We hope we can stand up to (the standards) of Shipman’s and be here for the next 50 years.”

Marj Federanich, co-chairperson of the Palmerton Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the business to the borough, and said they were glad to have it take the place of the former Shipman’s Pharmacy.

Borough Mayor Don Herrmann said the business is a great addition, and that he was looking forward to it remaining in the borough for many more years.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley thanked the business for opening up the pharmacy in the borough’s downtown.

Heffley added that a lot of people have been waiting for a pharmacy to open back up in town.

“Thank you for investing in Palmerton,” Heffley said.

Palmerton Pharmacy is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9-2 Saturday, and closed Sunday.

Subscriptions may be emailed to palmertonpharmacy@gmail.com.

For more information, contact Palmerton Pharmacy at 610-900-4999.