LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new WayPoint center is now open in Lexington at the site of a former historic Black-owned pharmacy.
The historic Palmer pharmacy building in east Lexington was the first Black-owned Rexall pharmacy in the U.S. when it opened in West End Plaza in 1961. However, after a bombing in 1968, owner, pharmaceutical doctor and U.S. Army veteran Zirl Palmer never reopened it.
But Palmer left behind a legacy as a community leader and civil rights advocate.
Now, the East 5th Street space will connect people with opportunities to achieve financial stability and independence.
City leaders like Chris Ford, commissioner of general services, and James Brown, at-large councilmember, sat down with the community to gauge its needs for the historic site.
“This will become a neighborhood resource, not another redevelopment project that would cause displacement, but one that would benefit the folks and the people that live in this neighborhood and call this the East End home,” Brown said. “That's why I'm excited today because I think that's how it turned out.”
The WayPoint Center offers services like health screenings, Medicaid enrollment assistance, financial counseling and help finding a job.
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., Mayor Linda Gorton and other leaders gathered for the grand opening.
“What I see is a strong group of leaders that care about this city," Beshear said. "Today, they're showing they care about every single part of this city and every single family within Fayette County.”
The WayPoint Center also connects people with providers who can help cover basic needs like emergency food, utility assistance and housing support.