The opening of the new Rite-Aid in Leitchfield has been delayed due to budgeting constraints.

Manager Donna Hafford said she was informed Friday that the opening of the store has been pushed back to March of next year.

“Construction on the new store looks like it will be the end of September or first of October,” explained Hafford. “But we were not budgeted to take over the store until August when Sav A Lot’s contract was up. Sav A Lot left earlier than what was expected.” Hafford added that this meant the company was not budgeted to buy merchandise for the inside of the store until August of this year.

“All the years that I have been with Rite Aid I have never seen them build a store and leave it empty,” said Hafford.

Because of the miscalculation it was told Saturday that another years lease was signed for the building they are in right now in the Southgate Mall.

The158,000-square foot building is supposed to have a larger pharmacy, a drive-thru for the pharmacy, a patient consultation room, a one-hour photo machine, a digital photo machine, GNC vitamins, and more walk-in coolers with more varieties of frozen food.

“We will still have the same hours as we run now,” explained Hafford. “The pharmacy will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., and store hours will be everyday from 8a.m. – 9 p.m. On Sundays the pharmacy will be open from 12-6 p.m.”

Hafford, who has been with the Leitchfield store for 16 years, said the new store will allow for a better quality of items and better customer service.