New Kind of Walgreens Opens Downtown

A new kind of Walgreens opened in Downtown Crossing this week—a “flagship” store featuring a pharmacy section with both classic and express options as well as other departments offering fresh food, wine and beer, sushi, coffee, a smoothie bar and beauty supplies with interactive displays.

Located at the corner of School and Washington streets in the former Borders building, the new Walgreens involved a complete renovation of the site, which many years ago housed the Five Cents Savings Bank.

“Walgreens is thrilled to provide a flagship location—unlike any traditional drugstore—in the thriving and resilient Downtown Crossing neighborhood,” Mark Wagner, Walgreens president of operations and community management, said in a statement. “We are transforming into a retail health and daily living destination that offers our customers unique and exceptional experiences to help them get, stay and live well.”

The store was officially opened with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 1. During the ceremony, Walgreens representatives presented donations totaling more than $100,000 to the Boston Police Relief Association, Boston Fire Department Children’s Fund, Boston EMS Relief Association and One Fund Boston.

The new store represents a new style of Walgreens and is one of three flagship stores across the country.

Among the store’s special features are a Look Boutique counter where customers can take a digital photograph of their face and “try on” various cosmetics and an Express Rx kiosk where customers can quickly pick up medications without having to wait for a pharmacist.

The site also hosts a Boston Moves kiosk where residents can join the city’s health initiative to lose 1 million pounds and move 10 million miles.

Last week, there was talk that a Walgreens may move to Centre Street in Jamaica Plain.

The new Walgreen’s front end, which offers grocery items, will be open 24 hours, seven days a week. The pharmacy will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.