Walgreens readies for April 23 opening in North Auburn

Nationwide drugstore chain Walgreens will open the doors of its Auburn location Thursday, April 23.The 14,550-square-foot store with a drive-up pharmacy is at Highway 49 and New Airport Road.Store manager Deanna Coats was busy this week stocking shelves and bringing on additional employees."We'll have 15 or 16 employees and at least half of those are Auburn residents," Coats said Monday.Typically, the pharmacy accounts for about 60 percent of Walgreens' business, but the store also will have over-the-counter medications, sundries, promotional items and even a clothing line — shorts and tank tops."There'll be Auburn T-shirts in here and other touristy items," Coats said.In addition to the drive-through window to pick up and drop off prescriptions, an online program allows customers to order refills, set up automatic refills and review their prescription history. Immunization services are offered at some Walgreens stores, according to Coats."We have a Walgreens prescription plan if you're not eligible for government assistance," Coats said. "(Customers can) sign up for that in the store or over the phone."The store has been in the works since July of 2007 when the Placer County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit. The Auburn location is comparable in size and inventory to the rest of the chain's stores, Coats said."They're just expanding their horizons, trying a new market," she said. "It's part of a big expansion. Walgreens is still a very strong company and adjusting as needed."The grand opening including a ribbon cutting will be held opening day, with free coffee and doughnuts for the morning celebration, along with vendors and music provided by a Sacramento-area radio station. There will also be a month-long drawing for a BMX bike and a barbecue, with both winners to be drawn in May, Coats said. Local government officials have been invited to the ribbon-cutting, including Auburn Mayor Mike Holmes.Across the street at the Bel Air Shopping Center, Auburn resident Kathy Brown has been watching progress of the store's construction. "I love Walgreens," Brown said Monday. "I like how they fill their prescriptions. I live close by so it's really hard to walk other places. I can't wait until it opens."Grass Valley resident Judy Olson, who also visited the Bel Air Center Monday, was less enthusiastic."Walgreens is a good store, but it adds to traffic," she said.Founded in Chicago in 1901, Walgreens opens 425 stores a year and expects to have 7,000 by 2010, according to the company Web site.Gloria Young can be reached at gloriay @goldcountrymedia.com