NEW YORK — Walgreen Co. is planning to open a new flagship Duane Reade drug store here Wednesday with an extensive fresh-food offering.
The 22,000-square-foot store at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan will include a fresh sushi station; The Juice Market, offering fresh-made specialty themed smoothies; a Starbucks coffee and fresh bakery counter; a Coca-Cola "Freestyle" machine dispensing 130 varieties of fountain drinks; and an expanded natural and organic section containing fresh fruits, vegetables, wraps, sandwiches and salads.
"The fresh and healthy food offerings will be unparalleled within the drug store industry," said Paul Tiberio, senior vice president of merchandising and chief marketing officer for Duane Reade. "We have positioned 40 Wall Street to best service the 'need-it-now' trips of the area's growing residential and professional populations, offering an 'up market' fresh food proposition and their one-stop shop solution."
Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens acquired the 258-store Duane Reade last year for about $1 billion amidst an effort by both chains to expand their grab-and-go and fill-in grocery offerings.
