Curt Clarambeau of Curt’s Pharmacy said he plans to continue to lease the location inside Nelson’s Market Place, which is on track to close May 17.

The loss of the store will cut down on his traffic, but he noted that two-thirds of his business comes from delivery of medications, particularly to nursing homes.

The over-the-counter products near his pharmacy were sold by Nelson’s. He said the closure likely will mean he will begin selling over-the-counter medicinal goods from aspirin to toothpaste. A Veterans Affairs clinic opening at Skyline Plaza, he said, won’t necessarily increase his business, because most VA-ordered medications are sent via the mail, but it could help with some that are needed right away. Also, having over-the-counter products would be good for veterans at the clinic who seek them before or after visits, he said.

Clarambeau said he hopes the building once again can open to foot traffic with Skyline Plaza — a mall with a mixture of professional offices, retail stores, a senior center, a fraternal club, a veterinary clinic and the VA clinic. Skyline and Nelson’s abut, but the entryway behind the floral department was walled off when the Moose Lodge was added in 2008. The clinic already is open for service members. An open house for the community is slated for Friday.

The business district on the west side of Albert Lea will lose one of its anchor stores. It lost discount retailer Walmart in October 2003, when the Walmart Supercenter opened on the city’s east side. The site remains vacant. In between the old Walmart and the existing Nelson’s store is Skyline Plaza.

What’s more, the owners of Skyline Plaza say it is full for the first time in years.

“That’s a good feeling,” said Skyline co-owner Curtis Smith. “But it is unfortunate that Nelson’s is closing and the employees are losing their jobs.”