The former building Main Street that housed Rite Aid for Decades and then Walgreens for a short period of time has a new owner. And that owner is a familiar one.

 

Bridgeport Physical Therapy Owner Jack Spatafore said they have purchased the structure that abuts against their location near the corner of Main Street and Virginia Avenue. Not surprisingly, Bridgeport Physical Therapy will be growing.

 

“It’s about 7,500 square feet of space,” said Spatafore. “We’ll be opening up the area where we about against one another and have an open area to better serve our patients and staff. At the same time, the space will allow us to incorporate some things we don’t currently have the space to do.”

 

As for space, there is actually more space than needed. How it shapes out will be determined in the future. Right now, Spatafore said workers are doing demolition to the long-standing building.

 

“We’re trying to clean it up,” he said. “It’s an older building and we’re gutting it for lack for a better term to get a clean, fresh start.”

 

That fresh start will see Bridgeport Physical Therapy take up approximately a third of the space. The rest of the space will possibly be leased out.

 

“We’re not 100 percent sure of what we’re going to do with the rest of the space. We’re not in a position to know it at this point because we don’t know the breakdown of the space,” Spatafore said. “We’ll take it slow and do it the right way.”

 

Although not certain, he said his wife Maria, who is a designer, has come up with a design showing three different storefronts. The ideal situation would be Bridgeport Physical Therapy using one of those store fronts with two other spaces available.

 

“I think it is important for us, with whatever would potentially go in there, that it has good synergy with our business,” said Spatafore. “That would make the most sense.”

 

If the space is made available, getting it leased should not be a problem. The familiar location along an extremely busy section of roadway has already led to Spatafore being approached by more than one group asking about space availability.

 

As for when that happens, Spatafore said the best he can say at this time is at some point in 2024.

 

“Getting prices and contractors, and supply chain issues today do not always allow you to estimate things like you could a few years ago,” said Spatafore. “With both my wife and I from the community, born and raised here, we want the finished product to represent the community. It’s kind of been a plain building for as long as I can remember.”

 

Spatafore, like others, enjoyed Rite Aid and Walgreens being located there – and for using it for more than pharmaceutical purchases. He said it was extremely convenient. However, when Rite Aid’s closure was announced, Spatafore decided it was the right time to make the move.

 

“Rite Aid owned it and I tried to get involved as they closed, but they did a transition straight to Walgreen’s. I put it in God’s hands and if was meant to happen it would,” he said. “Then, Walgreens announced they were closing, we spoke to representatives, and brought in Homefinders Plus … and they handled the matter of dealing with a big corporation and here we are.”

 

Along with work being done on the inside, much of the overgrown shrubbery has been removed as well. Spatafore said he hopes to brighten up the entire corner in the months and year ahead.

 

“The finished product will be exciting for our staff, clients, and the community,” Spatafore said. “It’s important to us to have a look the represents the ideals of this city.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the former Walgreens sign on Main Street that is no longer there, while Jack Spatafore is shown in the second photo working at the White Oaks satellite office of Bridgeport Physical Therapy shortly after it opened in early 2019. Third picture shows the sign on the door as work is being done inside. At the bottom is Jack with his wife Maria, who is handling the design of the acquired property.