Been to the New Birmingham Walgreens Yet?

Many book lovers mourned the closing of Border's Books in Birmingham when the company declared bankruptcy in 2011. Now the former bookstore location has a new tenant and entirely new purpose that could impact the quality of life for local residents, officials said.

Walgreens pharmacy recently celebrated the opening of its newest Well Experience marquee store at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Haynes Street with a ribbon-cutting organized by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. But unlike most traditional drugstores, this 30,000 square-foot location showcases a unique pharmacy format that offers comprehensive care such as health tests and immunizations, as well as health and daily living offerings like fresh food and an enhanced beauty department.

“Every week millions of Michigan customers and patients visit us for convenient access to innovative products, as well as health and wellness services that help them get, stay and live well,” said Kevin Schmidt, Walgreens market vice president in Michigan. “This new store demonstrates how Walgreens is transforming daily living, pharmacy and health care experiences throughout the state.”

The store's enhanced services include:

• An “Ask Your Pharmacist” desk, a consultation room and express kiosks for quick checkout. A private consultation room also provides a customized environment for services such as immunizations, blood pressure testing, blood glucose test and self-injectables.
• A LOOK Boutique beauty department that offers cosmetic, skincare and hair care brands not typically found in drugstores. Beauty advisors will also be available to offer guidance finding the best solutions for individual needs. Expert shaping and grooming services will be available at the eyebrow bar, which opens later this month.
• Fresh food items such as produce and high-quality, easy meal options including wraps, sandwiches and salads will be available.

Store hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The pharmacy is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Walgreens management  and received final approval from the the Birmingham City Commission in Feb. 2012.

For More:

• Developer Working to Bring Walgreens to Former Borders Location
• Walgreens Receives Approval From Planning Board
• Feature Photo: Construction Continues at Future Walgreens Site