Pharmacy manager Melissa Florentino (c.) is flanked by store manager Johnny Cheng and pharmacy technician Tish Melvin of Kearny.
KEARNY –
It took demolition of two homes, the old Lynn Chevrolet showroom/service center, The Irish Shop and former Teddy’s tavern, followed by a steady pace of building and now – about nine months later – Walgreens opened Nov. 30 at Kearny and Quincy Aves.
Johnny Cheng, manager of the drug retailer, the first in Kearny, said he anticipated a grand opening ceremony on Dec. 19, at 10 a.m., with local officials invited, along with the Kearny High Marching Band and cheerleaders and even a local DJ.
Guests at the 12,670 square foot facility will be greeted by Cheng and 17 full- and parttime employees, mostly local, currently at the shop although if business picks up, there will likely be more hired, Cheng said.
The drug retailer provides its employees an hourly salary of more than $9, which, as Cheng noted, exceeds the $8.38 New Jersey minimum wage. Employees also are eligible for a profit-share plan and a dental/medical plan.
Cheng invites senior citizens to take advantage of a 20% discount on store merchandise that is being offered on the first Tuesday of each month.
“We want to get more involved with seniors, maybe by offering immunization clinics, deliveries and possibly arranging for the Kearny Senior Bus to include Walgreens as a stop on the route,” Cheng said.
The exterior of the new Walgreens
Retail store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, while the pharmacy is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The pharmacy, managed by Jersey City resident Melissa Florentino, accepts most insurance plans and has a drive-thru option.
An outdoor parking lot has space for about 35 vehicles.
Much like other stores in the chain, the Kearny store offers customers photo services and a huge selection of cosmetics, along with the traditional pharmaceutical products.
Patrons can order items online with free shipping, Cheng said.
U.S. military veterans are eligible for free flu shots and discounts on retail items, he added.
Cheng has been a Walgreens employee for the past 12 years. “I started as a service clerk at the store in Passaic,” he said. Cheng’s most recent assignment was as manager of the Fair Lawn store.
– Ron Leir
