You may have noticed some significant department-shuffling at the Castro Walgreens (498 Castro St.) in the last few weeks.
The store, among the drugstore chain's busiest, is undergoing major changes to its pharmacy center and is also making some other general changes to the layout and flow.
"We recently relocated the pharmacy to the north east side of our store while we make renovations," Manager Wendy Zhu says of the temporary move. "We will be extending the pharmacy front counter, adding some additional general pharmacy space, and creating a private area for patient consults and immunization."
The store's shelves have also lost some vertical space in an attempt to make things more accessible and roomy. "We want the store to feel more welcoming and open," says Zhu. The lower shelves also appear to make the security mirrors and cameras more effective.
Zhu notes that there will be additional smaller changes. "We'll be moving the copy center closer to the south east corner of the store and relocating some other departments. Everything will still be open and functioning, so ask a store associate where to go if you get lost."
The specialty pharmacy expansion, built after winning SF Planning Commission approval in 2010, is located nearby at 4129 18th St. Both locations will remain separate during and after the remodel.
As for a completion date on the corner location, Zhu tells us that all renovations are projected to be done in one to two months.
Star Pharmacy, 1983. (Photo: Max Kirkeberg/SF State University)
The Castro Walgreens has significant LGBT history from the early 1980s. In 1981, it was home to Star Pharmacy, where AIDS activist Bobbi Campbell posted some of the first notices warning about the "gay cancer" that would soon become an epidemic.
Walgreens moved into the location in 1985 and soon was setting prescription sales records due to the needs of infected residents. Currently, the Castro locations provides non-profit window space for local LGBT organizations to display notices and materials.
