GIRARD The former Rite Aid building in Girard will soon house a new tenant.

Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo tells 21 News Ohio Kids Dental plans to open a new location at 713 North State Street in Girard, which once housed a Rite Aid pharmacy and drug store.

Rite Aid had announced the closure of several Mahoning Valley stores including the Girard location back in July of 2024.

According to the Trumbull County Auditor's website, the building was sold to Pahornrebs LLC for $1.5 million on August 28, 2025.

This will be the first Ohio Kids Dental location in the Mahoning Valley, with the current three being located in Cuyahoga Falls, Maumee and Hamilton, Ohio.

No official opening date has been set yet, but a press release from Ohio Kids Dental says the practice is expected to open in the early fourth quarter of 2026. Patients will be able to start scheduling appointments in September of 2026.

Ohio Kids Dental is a pediatric dentist's office for children age 0 through 18. Parents are allowed to be present with their children during their visits.

According to the release, the practice goes beyond traditional services with community outreach programs such as bringing a portable dental unit to schools and early learning centers to provide preventative care without requiring parents to take off work or make transportation arrangements.

The practice also has the Caring4Community Program, which provides donations to local schools and non-profits. Girard and its surrounding areas will be invited to participate in this campaign in the fall.