Published: November 14, 2008 10:17 pm      

2nd Walgreens to open today in Beckley; third is planned

Two down and one to go.

That will be the scenario after Walgreens opens its second store in the Beckley area today. The newly opened store is located at the intersection of Robert C. Byrd Drive and Harper Road. A third store at the corner of Byrd and Eisenhower drives and Ragland Road will open in early 2009.

Manager Charles Harris said the Harper Road store’s ideal location near Raleigh General Hospital will help it thrive.

“We’re excited about bringing Walgreens to Beckley,” Harris said. “We’ve hired an outstanding staff whose focus will be delivering exceptional customer service to this community. We believe customers will appreciate the level of convenience they’ll find in features like our drive-thru pharmacy, automatic prescription refills and nationwide network of pharmacies.”

Walgreens entered the local market just over a year ago when it opened in Beaver. The new store opening today operates in a 13,650-square-foot building. The third Walgreens will be slightly larger 14,820 square feet.

“The demand for prescription services in increasing, not only in the Beckley area, but across the nation,” public relations spokesman Robert Elfinger added. “All of our new stores in the Beckley area are part of our company’s push to meet this increased demand.”

Elfinger says the new Walgreens carries thousands of everyday items, including medications, health and beauty aids, toiletries, designer fragrances, greeting cards, small electronics, housewares, soft drinks, dairy products, frozen foods and snacks.

“Walgreens’ advanced pharmacy system links all its pharmacies, making it possible for Beckley customers to refill prescriptions at any of the thousands of Walgreens across the country,” he said. “Walgreens customers can also take advantage of Auto Prefills, a service that marks monthly medications to be refilled automatically, then calls or sends an e-mail to remind you the prescription is ready for pick-up.”

“This store will continue the tradition of trust that has guided Walgreens for 107 years,” Harris said. “We are committed to providing the most convenient access to high-quality pharmacy services and basic needs.”

Walgreens will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Pharmacy hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

“Pharmacy hours will expand sometime after the store opens,” Harris said.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com