The former Rite Aid building located at 90 North Broad Street in Norwich is expected to become a Family Dollar store. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — A new Family Dollar store is expected to set up shop in the former Rite Aid building, located at 90 North Broad Street in downtown Norwich.

After several years of sitting idle, preliminary efforts to renovate the building are now underway, according to Norwich Fire Department Chief Jan Papelino.

"They've sent us some preliminary drawings to review. I assume they're going to be doing some kind of renovations to it, cause it was a drugstore before," he said. "I'm sure they're going to have to move some walls, and they had a pharmacy in there and everything. So I assume they're going to be taking some of that out."

He added that the new owner, a company called RX Norwich Owners L.L.C., has already met with Code Enforcement Officer Amy Donnison in regard to licensing requirements for the renovations.

"What we show as the owners is a business called RX Norwich Owners L.L.C.," said Papelino. "Amy's already talked to them and told them, you know, look, you've got to have a licensed plumber, licensed electricians for any of the stuff you're going to change inside. So she'll supply them with lists. Now, they may bring in a crew too that gets a one-time license to do that work."

A timeline for when the store will be completed and open for business is not yet available.