For Immediate Release
January 30, 2003
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Snyders move to East Franklin prescribes further health
for Phillips
Drug
store company executives anticipate new store opening in Ancient Traders
Market
Minneapolis--Snyders, the fastest
growing drugstore chain in the United
States, will move into the former Walgreens in
Ancient Traders Market at 13th and East Franklin Avenues in March. "We want to get in quicker rather than
later," said Snyder's president, Gordon Barker, recipient of the national Retail
Excellence (REX) Award for 2002 and a pharmacist himself. "Everything you want
in a new location is here: high density, great visibility, easy freeway access
and a hospital that generates business nearby."
"We are absolutely thrilled
to welcome Snyders as our new tenant," said Theresa Carr, executive director of
American Indian Neighborhood Business Corporation, which owns the property. In the Snyders tradition, the new
East Franklin operation will look to community focus
groups for input. Examples of customization in the Snyders family of stores
ranges from expanded health care sections to customized cosmetics. The second largest drugstore chain in
North America, Snyders operates 180 stores in 14 states.
The first Snyders opened in
Minneapolis in 1928.
Minnesota is home to 85
Snyders, with 67 located in the seven-county metro area. In 1999, Gordon Barker and five partners
relocated from the West Coast to
Minnesota in order to head the
Snyders chain. The six executives had retired in 1996 from Thrifty PayLess, a
chain of 1300 drugstores head-quartered in
San Diego. "We have a neighborhood concept of a
drugstore," said one of those partners, John Greer, Snyders' executive vice
president and chief operating officer. "But don't discount the fact that we're
here to make money." The company anticipates an initial hiring of 25-50
employees. Walgreens ceased
operations in Ancient Traders Market on January 10, 2003.
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