WELLSBURG — A long-time local pharmacy has expanded into a new location, with not only space for additional products, but also room for new businesses.

Melissa Hood-Benges, co-owner of Traubert’s Pharmacy, said construction of the 5,300-square-foot structure at 1429 Commerce St. in Wellsburg was a dream her father, Randy, had launched prior to his death in 2020.

That and the pandemic led to its completion being delayed, but she and her uncle and fellow co-owner, Larry, were pleased to be able to celebrate its opening Friday with a ribbon cutting.

Joining Melissa and Larry were the pharmacy’s staff, Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce President Luke Diserio, Mayor Dan Dudley and many other officials and supporters.

Melissa said her father had indicated that local businesses should supply the materials and labor for the new building and that space should be created for new businesses as well.

She said both of those wishes were honored, and interest has been expressed in about 3,000 square feet of leasable space adjacent to the new pharmacy.

Melissa added there’s also interest in the pharmacy’s former location on Charles Street, a building that was renovated in the 1980s to more closely resemble its original appearance.

Built in 1891, it was occupied by an optician and jeweler and later, a dentist, before it became the base of operations for pharmacist Herbert Traubert, according to the Brooke County Geneaology Society.

Melissa noted the Trauberts and Hoods had a connection long before her father bought the Wellsburg pharmacy in 2019.

Her grandfather, the late Jimmy Hood, got his start working as a teen for Traubert at his Follansbee branch on Main Street.

In 1964, Traubert sold the Follansbee location to his young protégé and the two pharmacies were run separately for many years.

Hood’s sons, Randy and Larry, had aided him with deliveries as teens and later took over the business, building a larger location nearby on Main Street in 2016.

Melissa noted the anniversary of its opening is within a week of the new Traubert’s Pharmacy.

A 2008 graduate of Brooke High School and 2015 graduate of the West Virginia University pharmacy school, Melissa also had worked in the family business as a teen.

She recalled stocking shelves, cleaning and tending to the register and later, completing her college internship there.

Melissa said visitors to the new Traubert’s Pharmacy will find a wider selection of over-the-counter medications, home medical equipment and diabetic supplies.

There also are greeting cards for various occasions, educational toys, scented candles and other items suited for last-minute celebrations.

Melissa said her staff continues to stand ready to meet customers’ prescription needs, which may be picked up at the new location’s drive-up window.

She added Traubert’s and Hood’s pharmacies will coordinate delivery services to bring medications to customers’ homes at no cost.

Traubert’s Pharmacy is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)