People’s Pharmacy is planning an expansion of the store despite the difficult economic environment.The Victoria Street company is also looking at bringing in new product lines, president Donna Pearman said yesterday.Ms Pearman said the business, which includes its pharmacy and Little People’s Toys, was seeking to expand by taking over a section of its second floor for retail.The second floor, which has elevator access, is currently used as warehouse space, but Ms Pearman said the plan was to secure more off-site storage.She said children’s toys and/or the baby department may be moved upstairs and the store was seeking its customers’ input.The additional ground floor retail space will be used for existing and new product lines, and for additional space for the pharmacy and its waiting area, she said.“The recession has encouraged business owners to examine business models for efficiency and profitability,” Ms Pearman said.”Therefore we have decided to expand our retail offering by decreasing the allotted warehouse space. So to clarify it is more of a change in use as opposed to as expansion of our physical plant.”She said People’s Pharmacy had been hit by the recession like any other business, however,” we are thankful we are one of the businesses that have been able to manage through the recession.”She added that providing the best products for its customers, having excellent customer service and the bonus of having free customer parking in its lot from Victoria to Church Street — had all helped the store thrive through the tough times.Ms Pearman said work on the expansion will start pending Planning approval of the company’s application for a partial change of use of warehouse storage to additional retail spaceThe family-owned and operated People's Pharmacy was founded in 1984.