Walgreens

CVS’s don’t sell cigarettes anymore. But Walgreens does. Ergo, I go to Walgreens.

You know I love you: parking, cleanliness, friendly staff, great pharmacy department.
Bonus stars for booze, prestige cosmetics and lighting.

Parking and inconspicuous yet appropriate signage for this Walgreens on Magazine is an A+. I think the concept of this Walgreens is great with the multiple check-​outs in the front, back, and in cosmetics.
I don’t know if there is enough of the extra product in this higher end Walgreens to have me choose it over just going to a grocery store or a Sephora or Ulta. And when I’ve looked for specific products in the makeup/​hair section, I don’t see the selection to be any more varied than what I would find at a regular Walgreens.
They do have various higher end makeup brands like Cargo and Pür Minerals, but not the ones that I would go to Sephora or Ulta for, and I don’t see myself switching to any of these brands. I’m surprised that they’re hair tool section is just as small if not smaller than other Walgreens which is a bummer. They do have more food items than other Walgreens, but I haven’t really scoped this section very hard, so may update if I find this to be über beneficial.
Again, ample parking for a quick in and out on Magazine for some quick groceries and would probably take advantage of it more if I was in this area, but probably not going to replace my trips to one of the other makeup stores anytime soon.

Cue the angel’s singing above, FINALLY a wonderful experience as a customer in the store as well as patient to the pharmacy. This Walgreens is far ahead of it’s time in regards to it’s new remodeled design, customer service, and new upscale cosmetic section. Honestly it feels more like I’m walking into an upscale boutique or something, but I’m not complaining. You can buy and experiment with cosmetics imported from lots of different countries all while waiting for your prescription to be filled. Granted walgreens is notorious for charging more for just about all things you can buy elsewhere, it’s a pleasant surprise from the usual Walgreens experience which usually ends in frustration in my past experiences. Anyone else wonder why it feels like Walgreen’s ALWAYS hires the slowest employees? Fear not at this location because it is somewhat hidden on magazine street with not much foot traffic. It’s worth going a little further down the street for me. Lovely pharmacy staff too, which is a plus.

I finally got around to making a visit to the fancy, new Walgreens on Magazine next to Whole Foods. And let me tell you, it is NICE. Quite a stark comparison to the CVS on Prytania, where I typically do my drugstore shopping. Seriously, the difference is like night and day. I think I may be a Walgreens convert after just one visit, though I’ll reserve final judgement the next time I need a prescription and have a chance to interact with the pharmacy staff.
The store is spacious, well stocked (vs. CVS where it is very hit or miss), well lit, well organized and well staffed. They carry oodles and oodles of beauty products that I’ve never seen in any drugstore, ever, which totally appeals to my cosmetic obsession. They even have what appeared to be a mini grocery section. (I was too preoccupied with making a beeline to the beauty section to really check it out. It’s on my list for my next visit.) There is a spacious parking lot in the back and they even have a drive-​thru for the pharmacy.
I was greeted by a happy employee when I walked in and offered help by two happy employees while I was browsing. They have check outs at both the front of the store (facing Magazine) and at the rear (by the parking lot entrance.) There was not a self-​checkout in sight. The sweet girl who checked me out made a point to ask my name, complimented my hair (it’s like she knew her way directly to my heart) and told me that she would be looking for me to return.
Sayonara, CVS. I do believe I’ve finally found the neighborhood drugstore I’ve been yearning for ever since moving to New Orleans. (Seriously, what is up with the piss-​poor state of drugstores across the board in this city? But that’s another topic for another day.)
P. S. One caveat. Walgreens does not sell alcohol. However, I can’t say that I’ve ever actually purchased alcohol at CVS, either… so it’s a non-​issue for me.

This Walgreens is just east of Whole Foods on Magazine. It is VERY inconspicuous with very little signage — I suspect because the neighborhood fought tooth and nail against having a big chain pharmacy right here. I totally understand this sentiment but man it’s hard to hate this place after you step foot inside because this is the most super-​sparkly deluxe Walgreens evvvva!
There is ample FREE parking (right off Magazine!) behind the store in what is quite possibly the nicest slab of concrete in all of Louisiana. It is tucked away behind the building where you can sneak in the back entrance of the store so your neighbors won’t know you are patronizing an evil corporate chain!
I sort of have a drugstore cosmetic aisle fetish and this one is like the pinnacle of such things carrying a few brands that even Sephora carries. Yeah you read that right! They have Cargo, POP beauty, and La Roche Posay sunscreen.
Also — I went in about 8:30 PM tonight and the pharmacist was still there. Nice.