At first glance, I would have said that the reason it is was is because there is always singular.
However, after looking at the linked question, I have to say that it agrees with the first item.
- There was an apple and an orange on the table.
correct
- There were an apple and an orange on the table.
questionable, non-standard?
- There was some apples and some oranges on the table.
questionable, non-standard?
- There were some apples and some oranges on the table.
correct
- There was an apple and some oranges on the table.
correct
- There were an apple and some oranges on the table.
questionable, non-standard?
- There was some apples and an orange on the table.
incorrect, maybe non-standard?
- There were some apples and an orange on the table.
correct
The reason that those cases of "there was" seems questionable and not entirely ungrammatical is because there is singular.
Short answer: Don't think too much about it and choose is, because every and each work the same way. If it helps, read every as every single.
Every (single) man in this line is required to sign the forms.
Every (single) woman in this line is required to sign the forms.
Every (single) child in this line is required to sign the forms.
A. Every single [man, woman, and child] in this line is required to sign the forms.
B. Every single man, every single woman, and every single child in this line is required to sign the forms.
C. Every man, every woman, and every child in this line is required to sign the forms.
Since the subject in A, B, and C is equivalent, is is required. In each sentence, you are talking about one person at a time.
Also we would not write:
*Every man, every woman, and every child are each required to sign the forms.
Another example:
Every pen on this desk is broken.
Every pencil on this desk is broken.
Every eraser on this desk is broken.
Every single pen, every single pencil, and every single eraser on this desk is broken.
Every pen, every pencil, and every eraser on this desk is broken.
And certainly not:
*Every pen, every pencil, and every eraser on this desk are each broken.
The above explanation covers standard written English. In spoken English, it's every person to their own device(s).
Best Answer
Strictly speaking, according to grammarians, it would have to be the latter, "There are a man and a woman standing near [more idiomatic than "nearby"] the drugstore."
The man and the woman are standing there. There they are. There are a man and a woman near the drugstore.
But, you will frequently hear, "There is," in that situation. People say it a lot. It really doesn't even sound wrong to me, and I say it that way myself sometimes.
So if the population says it, is it really incorrect? I say either is acceptable, but only your second option follows the rules of English grammar.