I will not be shopping there, assuming that it actually opens

Like we need another convenience store....

I will definitely be shopping there, as I've had nothing but trouble with the pharmacy at the minuscule CVS across the street.

I'm trying to figure out how CVS is going to enlarge the store next to Mars - because their business will probably go to zero after Walgreens opens. Will they go vertical - a four-story CVS?

I'll be trying that Walgreen when it opens.

The Pharmacies at CVS are absolutely HORRIBLE. They have the most rude and incompetent staff I've ever come across. Specifically the newer one on Belair Rd where Honeygo ends.

There is a significant amount of market/traffic/demographic research that goes in to the placement of a store such as this. As is the case with just about everything in life (with, of course the exception of many of you perfect Perry Hall residents), mistakes are made. I've stood on street corners in New York City where there is a Starbucks on EVERY CORNER. This is stores are all busy and traffic is driven by the placement of office buildings, subway exits, walking routes. I'll tell you what - if I lived, say, at the corner of Silver Spring and Joppa and I used to go to the CVS, I'd sure as hell switch to this Walgreen's to simply avoid having to get out of the horrible CVS/Mars parking lot across the street. There is very little brand loyalty to drug stores (this is a fact, not my opinion) because people pay what their pharmacy benefits coordinator agrees to pay. That's the driver for traffic into the stores - the cigarettes, the photo lab and the makeup department are virtually all the same. It's not a bunch of idiot developers putting these stores where they are, it's experts in the matters I've mentioned above. You call them idiots because you prefer the "not in my back yard" approach, but indeed they are well educated, highly experienced economists, statisticians, real estate professionals, market analysts, etc.

First let me say that I got over the opinion I will present a long time ago.

When I saw the Laumans property go under construction, it was a little sad but that's the way it goes. But when I found out it was for another pharmacy, I was really bummed - they took away an interesting hillside to plop down another pharmacy which may not last if their company loses the pi**ing contest. But again, that's the way it goes in Corporate America.

I understand all of the location research, blah, blah, blah - but the truth is in this, the densest population corridor in the USA, much of that is reduced to the availability of real estate. Another major factor in this pharmacy battle is where is the closest competitor location? The rest is pretty much static noise in this market.

I totally agree with VOTER about the CVS at Belair Rd and Honeygo. They do not understand what you are saying. That made be wonder if I would get the correct prescriptions. Walgreens stopped accepting our prescription plan, a money issue for them. I decised it was worth getting out of my car and going inside the Rite Aide on Belair Rd. The pharmicist is knowledgeable and friendly. When i asked where something was located in the store, he came out and walked me to the area. That is service!

I like Walgreen's. I like that I will be able to walk to this one. I hate reading the Patch comments section. You guys complain about everything.

I am very tired of seeing the spot-a-pots from Belair Road and from that section of Silver Spring. I can imagine better ways to say "Welcome to Perry Hall" than those pots and the vacant store. Let's hope it happens in October!

Paul, your last comment was funny. Actually my family jokes about whether Walgreens will build in Fullerton where McDonald's was torn down. Now we think it might be built by Mars and CVS where the vacant banks are. That way the potties can stay where they are and the workers can just run across Belair Rd to use them...

As of 6/30/12 there are 7,907 Walgreens stores and 64 in Maryland.

http://news.walgreens.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1044

On a more serious note, this redundancy does not go unnoticed. We have other family from out of state who comes through every few months. To them the redundancy of the stores, the vacant buildings, and the "permanent" unattractive portables reflect negatively on the planning, government, and resident involvement in the community. I tell them not to be fooled by what they see - PH residents and the leaders are very involved and concerned about what happens. Of course I will be very glad when the store is open and the portables are gone. I hope this happens by Thanksgiving - if not, I am sure we'll be hearing about it again, and another funny story will go back to Delaware!