Tyler

By GREG JUNEK
Business Editor

Walgreens is set to build two new stores in Tyler and have both of them open by the spring 2009, a spokeswoman said.

On Monday, crews were demolishing the building that formerly housed United Heritage Credit Union, at 1620 S. Broadway Ave.

According to Tyler building permits, the 14,820-square-foot store will represent an investment of $950,000.

The company will also build a store on the southeast corner of Loop 323 and West Erwin Street, on the former site of the Rose City Motel.

That store, at 3712 W. Erwin St., is also permitted for 14,820 square feet, representing an investment of $1.5 million.

“Our expansion in Tyler is in line with our expansion nationwide,” Carol Hively, corporate spokeswoman, said. “We open a new store about every 16 hours and we have a strong presence in Texas where we have 599 stores statewide.”

Ms. Hively said each store will employ about 25 people.

She did not have information on when construction on the stores will begin. The South Broadway store will open by the spring 2009 and the Loop 323-West Erwin store will open this fall.

Kevin Eltife, property owner at the South Broadway store location, said Walgreens will have a ground lease on the property.

“Walgreens is doing all the demolition and the building themselves,” he said.

Eltife said he bought the property about a year ago.

Walgreens worked with the city to go “above and beyond on landscaping,” he said.

Eltife said he spoke to Walgreens officials and explained the historical significance of the Azalea District, and the company indicated it would do everything it could in its landscaping and design to preserve the integrity of the area.

Ms. Hively said Walgreens works from a long list of criteria when selecting a new site, but important factors include a high traffic count, a projected growth and an area where it sees a growing demand for prescription drugs.

Walgreens stock closed down 46 cents on Monday, at $32.51.

DEMOLISHED: A hydraulic excavator removes a piece of roof from the former United Heritage Credit Union building on Monday at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Fourth Street in Tyler.
(Staff Photo By Mark Roberts)