Walgreens expands to the Windward side

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Walgreens plans to open yet another store at the current Price Busters spot in Kailua.

The Kailua Walgreens is expected to measure about 12,000 square feet, smaller than the average size, with a drive-through pharmacy. It is slated to open in early December.

It is the seventh site for Walgreens, which also is planning stores in Kaneohe, Kalihi, Aiea, Lahaina and Nuuanu.

The first Walgreens opened at Keeaumoku Street and Kapiolani Boulevard in November 2007. The Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens hopes to roll out 25 to 30 stores throughout Hawaii.

Price Busters, meanwhile, plans to relocate to another spot in Kailua -- which has yet to be disclosed -- at the end of the month, said its president, Beth Tom.

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Walgreens is rolling into Kailua, with yet another store and drive-through pharmacy that is expected to open in early December.

Walgreens stores in Hawaii Open » Keeaumoku St./Kapiolani Blvd. November 2007 Slated to open » Kaneohe Mid-November 2008 » Kailua December 2008 » Kalihi Early 2009 » Lahaina, Maui Early 2009 » Pearl Kai Shopping Center To be announced » Nuuanu Shopping Plaza To be announced

The 12,000-square-foot Walgreens will move into space currently occupied by Price Busters at 56 Oneawa St. near the intersection of Uluniu Street.

Walgreens plans to remodel the existing building into a store, according to spokesman Michael Polzin. The Kailua store is the seventh location confirmed, so far, in Hawaii.

The first Walgreens opened at a former Tower Records site on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Keeaumoku Street in November 2007. Other secured Walgreens sites include Kaneohe, Kalihi, Aiea, Lahaina, and most recently -- Nuuanu Shopping Plaza.

Price Busters will move at the end of the month to another spot in Kailua.

Beth Tom, president of Price Busters, said the company is in final negotiations for another site in Kailua, but declined to disclose where at this time. She said Price Busters has a very loyal customer base on the Windward side.

"It will be sparkling, brand-new," she said, "and bigger than the current one."

The Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens entered the market to provide competition for Longs Drugs, which has had more than a 50-year presence in the islands. Walgreens expects to open between 25 to 30 stores throughout Hawaii with an average store size of 14,500 square feet. The new Kailua site will be right down the street from a Longs store.

Walgreens has taken the approach of moving into existing structures in Hawaii, in some cases, but is also building new stores from the ground up.

The next Walgreens in Hawaii is slated to open at the former Star Market (which was demolished) in Kaneohe in mid-November.

Walgreens in Kalihi and Lahaina are expected to open in early 2009.

Walgreens also has been presenting its plans for a store at the former Tower Records site at Pearl Kai Shopping Center before the local neighborhood boards.

Besides rolling out its stores, Walgreen Co. also has been making significant real estate investments in Hawaii.

In August, Walgreens acquired a five-story office building on Kapiolani Boulevard next door to its first planned store, though it made no changes to the property.

More recently, the company bought the leasehold interest of Nuuanu Shopping Plaza, where it eventually plans to open a store.

Price Busters, meanwhile, is on an expansion track, according to Tom.

Price Busters plans to open a new concept -- The Seasonal Store -- at the former Nordstrom Shoes space at Ward Centre on July 18.

Another Seasonal Store will open at Windward Mall in August.

The Seasonal Stores will feature items highlighting Halloween and Christmas, and will stay open until the end of December.

All Walgreen stores in Hawaii will offer a walk-up beverage bar, Cafe W, and be open 24 hours.

CORRECTION Thursday, June 5, 2008 A locator map on this page for a Walgreens that will open in Kailua in December incorrectly pointed to the site of the new store as being on the wrong side of Oneawa Street. It should have pointed to the opposite side, at 56 Oneawa St. The image has been removed.