Longs drugstore opens in Sharon Heights Longs drugstore opens in Sharon Heights (July 14, 2004)

By Jane Knoerle
Almanac Staff Writer

Manager Jeff Scheuch has two big reasons to be happy when Longs Pharmacy's grand opening takes place this Friday, July 16, in Sharon Heights Shopping Center.

One, he will be in charge of a new store that is three times the size of the center's existing Longs. Two, he will have a 5-minute commute.

"I've been trying to get closer to home for years," says Mr. Scheuch, who has lived in Menlo Park since 1984. His daughters, Courtney and Brittany, both attend local schools.

Longs is moving into the space formerly occupied by Capriccio restaurant, which closed in January 2003. The new store has an in-store one-hour digital photo lab, a key-making machine, balloon bouquets, and, most important for Sharon Heights' seniors, a drive-up prescription window, located in the back right-hand corner of the building.

The store will also carry dairy and frozen food items.

"We will be able to carry a more complete selection of many items our customers request," says Mr. Scheuch, who has been with Longs for 26 years, ever since college days.

Construction of the new store started last fall but was delayed last winter because of weather and structural problems, says building superintendent Allen Cox of the commercial construction firm, Hilbers Inc., out of Yuba City.

The "old" Longs, which first opened in the shopping center in 1993, will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 14. The new store will have a "soft" opening on Thursday and the "grand" opening on Friday.

Longs is adding 10 new employees, bringing the staff up to 33. The extended hours will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Pharmacy hours will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Longs Drugs is a West Coast operation with 450 stores and 22,000 employees. It's headquartered in Walnut Creek.

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