The 14,820-square-foot facility, with around a $3.5 million pricetag, will include a drive-through window for prescription pickups. The store is located on the corner of Highway 47 and Veterans Memorial Parkway. It has a parking lot for approximately 75 vehicles. "We're finally close to being ready to go," said Walgreens Construction Superintendent Daniel Cozza. "We're excited and looking forward to this store becoming an important fixture in Warrenton." It will be what Walgreens officials term a "traditional store," selling a variety of medications, cosmetics, soft drinks, beer, camera supplies, gum, candy, novelty items and some grocery items such as milk, bread, ice cream and an assortment of nonperishable food items. The store is expected to employ around 25 people initially, company officials said. The store will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. One company official said the store might become a 24-hour-a-day operation eventually. On Tuesday, the facility was inspected by both the Warren County Fire Protection District and the city of Warrenton's building inspector. "Everything is going along as it should be," said Neil Fick, Warrenton's building inspector. "We haven't had the final inspection yet which will result in the store being given its occupancy permit and allowed to move in items to get ready for its opening." Fick said the city's occupancy inspection would take place Thursday, May 29, and said he anticipated no potential problems. "It's a safety check to ensure everything is working properly," Fick explained. The new Walgreens was originally expected to be open around last August, according to the site plan approved by Warrenton's Board of Aldermen at the end of 2006. But delays have plagued the project from the start. The original contractor was replaced less than one month into the job. Then the site contractor experienced soil issues during excavation, which required additional fill dirt to be brought in to stabilize the building's footprint. Construction of a retaining wall at the west end of the parking lot was inadequate and the wall had to be completely rebuilt. Then the utility contractor had to relocate the building's utility lines. When excavating, the contractor inadvertently cut a gas line, shutting down power to many area restaurants and businesses for about a half day. Walgreens officials had hoped to have the facility open prior to last Christmas. But when the project fell behind once again, those plans were scratched.