Longs opens new store in Hawaii, sees Walgreens challenge

HONOLULU Longs Drug Stores has opened a smaller-format pharmacy in Kaua’i, making it its 37th store in the state, the company announced last weekend.

“This store is going to be helpful to our pharmacy customers on the south side of the island,” said Longs spokeswoman Phyllis Proffer.

Proffer said California-based Longs, which has about 500 stores in several states, expects its number of stores to expand in the thousands, and will include a mix of both small pharmacy stores and full-size traditional stores, which will feature general merchandise and pharmacy operations.

The expansion in Hawaii comes as the nation’s largest drugstore chain, Walgreens, is pushing ahead with a goal to open as many as 40 stores in the state, with the first store slated to open in Honolulu in November.