The new Walgreens location at Mendota Plaza opened its doors 8 a.m. Thursday morning to a few customers patiently waiting to be the first ones in.

What they found is a new look for Walgreens stores that will be rolled out in new construction and existing stores over the next six months, said Walgreens Community Leader Jim Webber.

Following a trend in what Store Manager Dave Hansen called “customer-centered retail,” the store's layout puts shopping items like pain-killers and muscle rub, tissues and cold medicine, next to each other. Hansen said the new design, with lower shelves that make seeing other aisle easier, updated colors and untiled flooring, is one of the first in the Twin Cities.  

The new freestanding building is part of a greater overhaul of the shopping center southeast of Dodd Road and Highway 110 underway by the developers, Paster Enterprises.

Jean Long, a Walgreen’s DTS department employee, was on-hand in the morning, and described the first hours as “smooth.” A minor glitch in the scanners was fixed.

She said the first customers in the door were a father and his elementary-age son.

This marks the second pharmacy to open in Mendota Heights recently. The Medicine Shoppe in the Village across the street opened when Snyder Drug went out of business.

“Our research shows across the country there’s demand for additional pharmacies, and pharmacy services are growing,” said Jim Cohn, a Walgreen’s spokesperson. He said their research also shows that people don’t want to travel more than a few miles to reach one. “Obviously it’s a great location. Its convenience is really key to its success.”

Tammy Baez, manager of the St. Croix Cleaners next door, said she expects the opening next door to bring in new business, like the storefront’s new look already has. St Croix Cleaners, part of the main strip of Plaza businesses, was actually located at the site of the Walgreen’s before being moved as part of the construction. “It’s been interesting to watch them lay it brick by brick,” said Baez.