East Coast Company, Rite-Aid, To Take Over Thrifty Payless Stores,

Shoppers at the Valley’s three PayLess Drug Stores soon will notice a new logo within the store.

Pennsylvania-based Rite-Aid Corporation bought out Thrifty PayLess, Inc., parent company of PayLess Drug Stores and Thrifty Drug Stores.

Three Valley stores - at 1443 N. Argonne, 12115 E. Sprague and 10722 E. Sprague - are currently being evaluated by Rite-Aid to plan the remodeling of each store.

An ad campaign introducing the Rite-Aid name to the Valley began this week, said company spokeswoman Sarah Datz. While outside signs will not be installed until fall, the Rite-Aid logo will be displayed throughout the inside of stores, Datz said.

Products that Rite-Aid does not carry, such as plants, crafts or shoes, will continue to be available, Datz said. Eventually, Rite-Aid will add its own one-hour photo processing service and pharmacy services to most of the stores.

Kids win toy shopping spree

Two young Valley artists are heading to Toys ‘R’ Us for a shopping spree, thanks to McCollum Ford.

Opportunity Elementary first-grader Tanner Wakem, 6, and Sunrise Elementary third-grader Apryl Winters, 9, each won $100 gift certificates to Toys ‘R’ Us, third prize in the Valley auto dealership’s first annual coloring contest.

North Side resident Shantel Marie Hagen, 9, won a trip to Disneyland, the first prize in a coloring contest run by McCollum. Second-place winner Alex Brudnicki, 9, of the South Hill, won a bicycle.

Hundreds of children from the Inland Northwest participated in the contest. Each was given the opportunity to have their photograph and drawing published in the dealership’s newspaper ads. The drawings also were on display inside the dealership.

The prizes were awarded last week by dealership president Gus Johnson.

Store celebrates anniversary

Gone Stamp’n, an artistic rubber stamp supply store at 1510 N. Argonne, is celebrating its fourth anniversary Saturday.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., shoppers can participate in a free rubber stamping demonstration by Spokane artist Denia Henderson, as well as a demonstration of the art of making clay jewelry.

Refreshments will be served.

Shoppers will receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases, said owner Carlene Belisle.

Saturday’s store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

, DataTimes