A Luxurious, Huge New Walgreens Opens in Union Square

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Walgreens opened a new flagship store yesterday following a major renovation and reconstruction of their Powell and O'Farrell location in the heart of Union Square. The store is the third Walgreens a two-block radius, and the 18,000-square-feet (doubling its previous size), two-story megastore offers local favorites, upmarket products and drugstore staples, tailored to the tastes of San Francisco locals and tourists alike. Unless you've visited one of the company's nine other flagship stores, we guarantee it's the fanciest Walgreen's you've ever seen.

The beauty section is particularly impressive, which is located on the upper floor and stocked high-end international brands like La Roche-Posay—some products cost up to $100, and they even do private beauty consultations. Just a note: with summer around the corner, we highly recommend the La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face, which protects skin at the cellular level yet feels incredibly lightweight. And yes, you need it in SF—wish as we may, fog is not an effective form of sun protection. And thanks to the flagship Walgreens, one of only 10 in the country, residents and visiting tourists alike can stock up on last minute skincare essentials that either didn't make the work bag or didn't make the trip.

To sustain you while you shop, the store has an "Upmarket" section with food from six local vendors including Cafe Madeline and ACME bread, as well as a smoothie station and bakery. There's also an entire swath of the store dedicated to Ghirardelli, with chocolate as far as the eye can see.

Our second favorite thing about the store (after the beauty section), is the FROZEN YOGURT STATION. Third is the Bullitt-dedicated wall art with a vintage (1968 GT we presume) Mustang flying through the air. Nice touch.
--by Esther Hahn
· Walgreens Union Square Gets Ultra Fancy Upgrade [SF Business Times]
· All Now Open posts [Racked SF]
· Walgreens [Official Site]